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The Nigerian Army has revealed that it rescued seven children and two adults who were abducted from an orphanage in Kogi State in April 2026.
Gunmen attacked the orphanage on April 26, 2026 and abducted 23 children and several adults, including the proprietor’s wife.
Most of the children were freed shortly after the abduction, but seven remained in captivity.
Kogi’s information commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, had previously said that the orphanage “was operating illegally in a remote, bushy environment without registration with the state government and without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies”.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement issued on Thursday, disclosed that the remaining victims have been freed following a rescue mission.
“The rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls and two adult females, believed to be the wives of the proprietor of the orphanage,” it said.
The government had earlier confirmed the rescue of 15 victims on April 27, 2026, following security operations across the state.
Fanwo, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the operation was carried out in the Agbaja Forest axis of Lokoja Local Government Area (LGA), adding that the rescued victims have been evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are receiving medical care and attention.
Mass kidnappings by bandits and terrorists have become rife in Nigeria. These groups abduct victims, especially in rural areas, and demand ransom for financial gain.
In November 2026, hundreds of children were abducted by gunmen from their school in Niger State. The Nigerian Government said the deadly Boko Haram sect orchestrated the attack.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo vowed to arrest the perpetrators of the Kogi orphanage abduction and ensure they face justice.
