Bandits Attack Kogi Orphanage, Abduct 23 Pupils

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have raided a school and orphanage in Kogi State, abducting 23 pupils and the wife of the proprietor in a late-night operation that left residents in shock.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Dahallukitab Group of School in Zariagi, near Kabba Junction along the Lokoja–Okene road in Adavi Local Government Area. The facility serves both as a learning centre and an orphanage.

Witnesses said the attackers stormed the premises around 10:30 p.m., firing gunshots that sent panic through the quiet community before taking their victims to an unknown location.

“It was shocking. We started hearing gunshots from that area late in the night,” a resident of a nearby village said, adding that news later spread that pupils, staff, and the proprietor’s wife had been taken.

Authorities confirmed the attack on Monday, with the state government describing the development as disturbing. In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that security agencies had already secured the release of some of the victims.

“The incident occurred late on April 26, 2026, when unknown gunmen invaded the premises and abducted 23 pupils alongside the wife of the proprietor,” he said, noting that 15 of the children had been rescued through coordinated efforts.

According to him, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, working with other security agencies, responded swiftly, helping to limit the scale of the attack. Efforts are ongoing to rescue those still in captivity.

The government also raised concerns over the growing number of schools and orphanages operating in isolated areas without proper registration, warning that such facilities are increasingly exposed to security threats.

“Operating orphanages and schools in remote areas without proper registration and notification to authorities poses serious risks,” the statement added, urging proprietors to comply with regulations and seek security assessments.

As of the time of filing this report, the police command in the state had yet to issue a formal statement, while attempts to reach its spokesperson were unsuccessful.