Kogi confirms rescue of all 23 abducted orphanage victims

The Kogi State Government has confirmed the safe rescue of all victims abducted from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage in Lokoja following a coordinated security operation led by the Nigerian Army.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja by Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information and communications, who described the development as a major victory against criminal elements operating in the state.

Gunmen had attacked the orphanage on April 26, abducting 23 persons, including pupils and the wife of the orphanage proprietor, in an incident that sparked widespread concern across the state.

The government had earlier announced the rescue of 15 victims on April 27 after intensified search-and-rescue operations by security agencies.

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According to the statement, the remaining nine victims were freed during a fresh operation carried out in the early hours of Wednesday.

It disclosed that troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army spearheaded the operation with support from other security agencies, leading to the successful rescue of the victims in the Agbaja Forest area of Lokoja Local Government Area.

“The operation, carried out in the Agbaja Forest axis of Lokoja Local Government Area, resulted in the safe recovery of five boys, two girls, and two adult females,” Fanwo stated.

It added that all rescued victims had been evacuated to a military medical facility where they were receiving medical attention and psychological care following the traumatic experience.

The statement described the outcome of the operation as a major breakthrough in the state’s fight against kidnapping and violent crimes, noting that it brought relief to families and residents who had anxiously awaited the victims’ return.

Ahmed Ododo, Governor of Kogi State, commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army as well as other collaborating security agencies for their professionalism, bravery, and commitment throughout the rescue mission.

The governor also praised the resilience shown by the victims and their families during the ordeal.

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“The safety and security of all residents remain the foremost priority of our administration. This successful operation underscores our determination to ensure that criminal elements have no foothold in Kogi,” the governor said.

Ododo assured residents that the government would continue to strengthen the state’s security architecture through improved intelligence gathering and sustained support for security agencies to enable swift responses to criminal threats.

He further expressed appreciation to Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts aimed at maintaining security and stability in the state.

The governor also commended heads of security agencies across the country for their cooperation and coordinated approach in combating violent crimes and kidnapping.

Reiterating his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on kidnapping and other violent criminal activities, Ododo urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to prevent future attacks.

He assured the public that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators behind the abduction and ensure they were brought to justice.