Orphanage Raid: 8 Children Still Missing in Nigeria

Eight children are unaccounted for following a raid on an unregistered orphanage in Nigeria's north-central Kogi State, where 23 individuals were initially kidnapped. Security agencies responded promptly, managing to rescue 15 of the abducted children. The owner of the facility was also taken during the Sunday attack.

Authorities confirmed the orphanage was operating illegally in a secluded, bushy area without official authorization. This incident highlights the security challenges in Nigeria, where criminal gangs frequently engage in kidnappings for ransom, despite government prohibitions. Efforts are underway to secure the release of all remaining victims.

Mass kidnappings, particularly in northern Nigeria, have become a persistent issue, with schools often targeted. While this is the first known attack on an orphanage, a similar incident occurred in November 2025 when over 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic Secondary School in Niger State. The fate of those abducted students was resolved over a month later.