Twenty-three children kidnapped from Nigerian orphanage

Nigeria Orphanage Raid: At Least 23 Children Kidnapped, Authorities Report

A group of armed men has raided an unregistered orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, and kidnapped at least 23 children, according to authorities. The incident occurred late on Sunday at the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, which is located in an isolated area.

According to Kingsley Fanwo, Nigeria’s Information Commissioner, security agencies responded quickly to the situation, rescuing 15 of the abducted children and leaving eight still missing. Additionally, the wife of the orphanage’s proprietor was also taken into custody.

Fanwo stated that the orphanage operated without the knowledge or authorization of relevant authorities and security agencies. Authorities are currently conducting intensive operations to secure the safe return of the remaining eight victims and apprehend those responsible for the kidnapping.

The ages of the abducted children have not been disclosed, but they were referred to as “pupils” in the statement. The incident is part of a broader trend of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas with limited government presence.

Nigeria has faced various security challenges, including violence by groups such as Boko Haram and bandit gangs, farmer-herder conflicts, and separatist movements. In recent months, there have been reports of violent attacks on schools in the North Central Zone of Nigeria, where Kogi State is located.

Source: Al Jazeera