Gunmen have abducted 23 pupils and the wife of a school proprietor following an attack on an orphanage and school facility in the Zariagi area of Lokoja, Kogi State.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred late Sunday, targeted a facility identified as Dahallukitab Group of Schools.

Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said security operatives responded swiftly, leading to the rescue of 15 of the abducted pupils.

The commissioner disclosed that the school was operating outside regulatory oversight.

“The facility was operating illegally in a remote, bushy environment without registration with the State Government and without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies,” Fanwo said.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining eight victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

“The Kogi State Government commends the gallantry, professionalism, and swift response of the Police and other security agencies for rising decisively to the occasion,” he added.

Fanwo warned against operating schools and orphanages in isolated areas without proper authorisation, describing such practices as dangerous.

“While the Government remains fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims, it is important to stress that the operation of orphanages, schools, and similar institutions in isolated and vulnerable locations, without proper registration and notification to relevant authorities, poses serious security risks, especially in the current security climate,” he said.

The commissioner further urged operators to comply with safety regulations.

“The Government strongly discourages such practices and reiterates the need for strict compliance with regulatory and safety protocols,” Fanwo said.

“All operators of such facilities are advised to engage with appropriate government agencies to ensure proper oversight, security assessment, and protection.”

The commissioner added that security agencies are working to bring the situation under control, noting that updates will be provided as operations continue.

Tragedy struck Sati-Ikov Council Ward in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State after armed men reportedly ambushed mourners returning from a burial ceremony, killing three persons and abducting two others.

Residents who spoke on Sunday said the attack occurred on Saturday night when the victims were returning home from a burial event in the community, plunging the area into fear and tension.

One resident, who spoke anonymously for safety reasons, said the attackers laid an ambush close to the community and opened fire on the unsuspecting mourners.

“Some mourners who were returning from a burial were attacked close to our community, Sati-Ikov, on Saturday night by local militias. Three of them were killed, and two others, a male and a female, were kidnapped,” the source said.

The attack has since been confirmed by the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, who condemned the recurring violence in the area.

Gabo described the situation as disturbing, noting that the constituency has been experiencing repeated attacks in recent weeks.

“I received a call from my people at about 4 am that they went for a burial and on their way back, they ran into armed men,” he said.

“The armed men shot and killed three of them and collected their bags. They also robbed some residents and kidnapped two people. The victims were all young men.”

He identified the deceased as Bem Msughter of Mbakyombo, Daav-Ikov; Aondo Chia of Mbamegh, Daa-Ikov; and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor, Daav-Ikov.

The abducted victims were named as Aondongu Amos, a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, and Mrs Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine dealer in the community.

Gabo, who also serves as Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the Assembly, lamented that his constituency had become a recurring hotspot for violent attacks.

He added that similar incidents had occurred just weeks earlier, leaving several residents dead.

“Apart from that, we have had one or two such incidents every other week,” he said.

The lawmaker alleged that the attackers often cross from neighbouring areas before striking and retreating into forested and mountainous terrain believed to provide cover for criminal activities.

“So they cross from there to our side, attack and return to their side. It is a mountainous area with large forests,” he explained, adding that the suspects were believed to operate from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

He further said he had reported the incident to security agencies, noting that police personnel had already been deployed to the area.

However, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

The latest attack adds to growing concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue State, where rural communities continue to suffer repeated assaults and abductions.