Gunmen Abduct 23 Children From Orphanage in Central Nigeria

Gunmen abducted 23 pupils from an orphanage and school facility in Lokoja, Kogi State, and security forces have rescued 15 of the children, according to Reuters and AP.

The attack happened late Sunday at an unregistered facility in an isolated area of Lokoja. Reuters said the proprietor's wife was also abducted, while state officials confirmed that rescue operations were continuing for the remaining victims.

AP reported that the gunmen raided the orphanage and took 23 pupils. Reuters later said 15 children had been rescued, leaving eight still missing. Local and official reporting also indicated the proprietor's wife was among those taken.

The conflicting early counts in local coverage appear to reflect the fast-moving nature of the operation, but the most corroborated reporting supports 23 pupils abducted, 15 rescued and eight still unaccounted for.

The attack adds to a long-running security crisis in parts of Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted schools and vulnerable communities. For now, the main focus is on finding the remaining children and confirming whether any other victims are still being held.

Authorities have not yet publicly identified the attackers in the reporting reviewed.