Gunmen attacked an unregistered orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State, and abducted at least 23 children. Security forces rescued 15 pupils, while eight remain missing and the proprietor’s wife was also taken. Authorities said the facility was operating illegally in a remote location and that operations are ongoing to recover the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators. The raid comes amid broader armed violence across Nigeria involving groups such as Boko Haram and ISIL-linked factions.
Gunmen Abduct 23 Children From Unregistered Orphanage in Lokoja — 15 Rescued, 8 Still Missing
Nigeria's North Central Zone, where Kogi (shown here during 2022 flooding) is located, has seen violent attacks, including raids on schools, in recent months [File: Fatai Campbell/AP]
Gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage late on Sunday and abducted at least 23 children from the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, located in an isolated area of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, officials said.
Attack and Rescue
Kogi State Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said the attackers took the children from the remote facility before security forces mounted a prompt response. The coordinated operation led to the rescue of 15 children, while eight remain missing. The wife of the orphanage proprietor was also reported abducted.
“Intensive operations are ongoing to secure the safe return of the remaining eight victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Fanwo said in a statement.
Location and Legality
Authorities said the orphanage was operating illegally in a secluded area without the knowledge of relevant regulators or security agencies. The statement did not specify the ages of the abducted children, but described them as "pupils," a term in Nigeria that typically refers to kindergarten or primary school children up to about 12 years old.
Wider Security Context
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the raid. The incident comes amid a broader security crisis in Nigeria that includes the Boko Haram insurgency, "bandit" kidnappings, farmer–herder clashes, southeastern separatist violence and activity by the ISIL (ISIS)-linked Lakurawa group in the northwest. The North Central Zone, where Kogi lies, has seen several violent incidents in recent months, including raids on schools. In a separate high-profile attack last November, hundreds of students were abducted from a school in neighbouring Niger State in an assault security sources blamed on Boko Haram.
Ongoing Response
Security agencies say they are intensifying operations to locate and recover the remaining children and to arrest those responsible. Local authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to assist the investigation.
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