The Proprietor of Daarul-Kitab Islamic Training Centre, Dr. Tajudeen Mohammed Salihu, Monday appealed to the Kogi state government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing nine persons abducted during a late-night attack on the school.
Dr. Salihu, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Tajudeen Islamic Foundation and Children Home located at Zariagi an outskirt of Lokoja, stated that the incident occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on Sunday when armed assailants invaded the school premises.
He said the attackers, wielding guns and cutlasses, stormed the facility and unleashed violence on occupants before abducting seven students and two matrons.
The attackers have called demanding the sum of 150 million to release the victims who are still in captivity.
“I received a distress call from one of the children informing me that some armed men had invaded the school and were attacking people.
“I was in Abuja at the time and immediately alerted security agencies, but before they arrived, the attackers had fled with seven students and my two wives, who serve as matrons in the school.” he said.
He noted that 17 students who fled into the bush during the attack had since returned safely, but lamented that efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims had so far been unsuccessful.
Dr. Salihu described the incident as devastating, adding that the institution caters not only to orphans but also to children from indigent families who lack the means to provide adequate care and education for their wards.
“The school is a place of refuge for vulnerable children. We provide them with free education and care, using the little support we receive from well-meaning individuals and organizations,” he explained.
He added that the school, established in 2021, is duly registered with the Kogi State Ministry of Education.
The proprietor, therefore, urged the state government and relevant security agencies to urgently intervene and ensure the safe return of the abducted students and staff.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi has assured parents of Tajudeen Islamic Foundation and Children Home that the nine victims who were kidnapped on Sunday evening will be rescued to join their love ones.