Eight children are still missing after gunmen attacked an orphanage in Nigeria’s north-central Kogi State and took several people away. During the raid, officials reported that gunmen kidnapped a total of 23 children. So far, security forces have managed to rescue 15 of them.
The attack happened on Sunday in a remote area. The gunmen also abducted the owner of the orphanage. Authorities said the home was not officially registered and was operating without government approval, which made it harder to monitor and protect. Kogi State’s information commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, said the rescue of the 15 children was possible because security agencies acted quickly and worked together. He also said the government is doing everything it can to find the remaining children and bring them back safely.
No group has taken responsibility for the attack. However, security sources believe there may be a Boko Haram cell active in the state. The region has seen several violent incidents in recent times, including kidnappings and attacks attributed to armed groups, which contribute to the ongoing insecurity in the area. Kidnapping is a major problem in many parts of Nigeria. Armed groups often take people and demand money for their release. Even though the government has made it illegal to pay ransoms, these crimes continue to happen. Fanwo warned that orphanages, schools, and similar places must follow proper rules and register with the authorities. He said this is especially important because of the current security situation in the country, which has led to an increase in mass kidnappings targeting vulnerable institutions like schools and orphanages.
Mass kidnappings are sadly common in northern Nigeria. They often happen in schools. Armed groups usually target students and staff. However, this incident is the first known case where an orphanage was attacked in this way.
In a similar incident in November 2025, armed groups kidnapped over 300 students and teachers from a school in Niger State. The victims were later released in groups over time. The final group was freed after being held for more than a month in captivity.
