Police in north-central Kogi State say they have rescued 17 pupils after armed men attacked an orphanage and Islamic school in a late-night raid that has raised fresh concerns over school security in the country.
The operation took place in the Zariagi area near Lokoja, where gunmen stormed the Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic learning centre that also houses an orphanage, at about 11:45pm on Sunday, according to authorities.
In a statement on Monday, Saliu Afusat, spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, confirmed that all 17 abducted pupils were successfully recovered following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
Details on the attackers and the circumstances of the raid remain unclear, and officials have not yet confirmed whether any arrests were made.
The incident adds to growing security concerns in parts of Nigeria where schools and learning centres have increasingly been targeted by armed groups seeking ransom or leverage.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as security operations continue in the area.
