Gunmen Kidnap 23 Pupils in Nigeria, 8 Still Missing After Rescue Operation

Gunmen abducted 23 pupils from an orphanage school in Lokoja, Kogi State, north-central Nigeria. Security forces rescued 15 of the children, while eight remain missing and search operations are ongoing. Authorities say the school was operating illegally, and no group has claimed responsibility. The attack highlights ongoing insecurity and frequent kidnappings targeting schools in Nigeria.

Gunmen have abducted 23 pupils from an orphanage located in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State in north-central Nigeria, in a violent raid that has once again highlighted the country’s worsening insecurity, particularly in its middle belt region.
According to a statement from the Kogi State government, the attack occurred in an isolated area where Dahallukitab Group of Schools operates. Authorities later stated that the institution was functioning without proper approval, describing it as an illegal facility. The raid caused panic in the community as armed men stormed the premises and took away the children before security forces could respond.
State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, confirmed that security agencies, led by the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State and supported by other operatives, were immediately mobilised after the incident was reported. He said their rapid response led to the rescue of 15 of the abducted pupils during initial operations in the area.
Despite this progress, eight children are still being held by the kidnappers, and authorities say efforts are ongoing to locate them and ensure their safe return. Security forces have launched coordinated search and rescue operations, combing surrounding forests and suspected escape routes used by the attackers. Officials have also promised to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
At this stage, the identities of the gunmen remain unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the involvement of criminal kidnapping gangs that have become increasingly active in parts of north-central Nigeria.
Although the exact ages of the abducted children were not officially stated, the term “pupil” in Nigeria typically refers to children in kindergarten or primary school, usually aged 12 years and below. This raises additional concern over the vulnerability of young children in school environments that are supposed to be protected spaces.
The incident is part of a broader pattern of school-related kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in the northern and north-central regions. Over the past years, armed groups have repeatedly targeted schools, abducting students and staff in exchange for ransom. Security analysts say such attacks are often strategically planned because they attract widespread attention and increase pressure on authorities and families.
Kogi State, located near Nigeria’s capital territory, has in recent times experienced rising cases of kidnapping and armed attacks, often linked to criminal gangs operating across forested areas that stretch between several states. These groups are known for targeting travellers, rural communities, and educational institutions.
Security officials say schools, especially those in remote or less regulated areas, have become vulnerable due to weak infrastructure, limited protection, and delayed emergency response systems. Authorities have repeatedly called for stronger security measures around educational facilities.
Nigeria as a whole continues to face a complex and persistent security crisis, especially in its northern regions. The country is battling multiple threats, including armed banditry, kidnapping-for-ransom networks, and extremist violence linked to groups such as Boko Haram and IS-affiliated factions operating in the northeast.
The government says it is intensifying security operations nationwide, but incidents such as this continue to raise public concern over the safety of children and the effectiveness of protective measures in vulnerable communities.