Gunmen Abduct 23 Pupils in Kogi, 15 Rescued as Security Operatives Intensify Search
Hussaini Ibrahim 
LOKOJA, Nigeria – Gunmen have abducted at least 23 pupils from a school and orphanage in Kogi State, in a fresh incident highlighting persistent insecurity and threats to education in parts of Nigeria.
State authorities confirmed that 15 of the victims have been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining children.
The abduction occurred in a remote community near Lokoja, the state capital, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
Fanwo disclosed that the affected facility was operating without official registration, raising additional concerns about regulatory oversight and child safety.
“Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend those behind the attack,” he said.
Security operatives have since launched a coordinated rescue mission, although authorities have yet to disclose how the attackers gained access to the premises or the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The attack adds to a series of school-related abductions in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where security infrastructure remains weak.
Such incidents have continued to disrupt education, forcing school closures and heightening anxiety among parents and communities.
Analysts warn that repeated attacks on educational institutions risk reversing gains in school enrolment and child protection, especially in vulnerable regions.
As rescue operations continue, authorities have yet to confirm any arrests linked to the incident, while residents remain on edge amid renewed fears over safety.
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