The Nigerian Army says it has rescued seven children and two adults who were abducted during a raid on an orphanage in Kogi State last month, bringing relief to families and residents following weeks of uncertainty.
According to a statement released by the military on Thursday, troops carried out sustained search-and-rescue operations that led to the successful recovery of the victims from captivity. The rescued victims include five boys, two girls, and two adult women believed to be wives of the orphanage proprietor.
Gunmen had stormed the orphanage in late April, abducting 23 children and several adults. While most of the victims were freed shortly after the attack, seven children had remained missing until the latest military operation.
Authorities in Kogi State earlier revealed that the orphanage was operating illegally in a remote forested area without official registration or the knowledge of relevant government agencies and security authorities. The state government said investigations were ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the facility and the security lapses that enabled the abduction.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing insecurity across parts of Nigeria, where mass kidnappings have become a major criminal enterprise. Armed gangs and insurgent groups often target vulnerable communities, schools, and rural institutions to demand ransom payments or spread fear.
North-central Nigeria, including Kogi State, has witnessed increasing attacks linked to armed bandits and extremist groups. Security experts warn that poor security presence in remote communities continues to expose residents, especially children, to attacks.
The rescue operation comes amid broader efforts by Nigerian security forces to combat kidnapping, banditry, and insurgency across the country. In recent years, hundreds of schoolchildren and civilians have been abducted in different parts of northern and central Nigeria, with some attacks linked to Boko Haram and other armed groups.
