Relief has swept through Kogi State following the rescue of the remaining nine abducted children of the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage in Zariagi, after a coordinated security operation brought the long search to a successful conclusion.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that the rescue was achieved through sustained efforts involving security agencies and the state government.
According to him, troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working in collaboration with other security agencies, carried out the operation in the early hours of May 6, 2026, in the Agbaja Forest axis of Lokoja Local Government Area.
“The coordinated and sustained search-and-rescue operations led to the safe recovery of five boys, two girls, and two adult females”, he said.
He added that the rescued victims have since been taken to a military medical facility, where they are receiving treatment and care.
The Kogi State Government commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their role in the operation. Governor Usman Ododo praised the success of the mission, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across the state.
“This operation reflects our resolve that criminal elements will not find a safe haven in Kogi State”, the governor stated, adding that efforts would continue to strengthen security structures and intelligence gathering.
He also reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on kidnapping and violent crime, while urging residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information.
