Gunmen abducted at least 23 pupils during an attack on an orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, late on April 27, 2026, authorities said.
Officials confirmed that 15 children have since been rescued, while eight remain missing, with security forces continuing search operations. The wife of the school’s proprietor was also reportedly abducted during the raid. Kogi State Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said authorities are intensifying efforts to secure the safe return of the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible.
No group has claimed responsibility, but kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common in Nigeria, particularly targeting schools and vulnerable communities in rural or poorly secured areas. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Africa’s most populous nation, where armed groups frequently exploit weak state presence to carry out abductions.
