Gunmen have kidnapped 23 children during a raid on an orphanage in Nigeria’s Kogi State, with eight still missing despite ongoing rescue efforts, according to a report by BBC .

State authorities said 15 of the children were rescued following what officials described as a “prompt and coordinated response” by security agencies. The attack, which took place on Sunday in north-central Nigeria, also saw the abduction of the orphanage owner, Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo confirmed.

Officials noted that the facility was operating illegally in a remote “bushy environment” without proper registration or oversight, raising concerns about regulatory gaps in vulnerable institutions. Fanwo urged operators of orphanages, schools, and similar centres to comply with government requirements, especially amid growing security threats.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, security sources cited in the report suggest the possible presence of armed extremist elements in the region, though this has not been independently confirmed. Nigeria continues to face a prolonged kidnapping crisis, with criminal gangs frequently targeting civilians for ransom, despite a government ban on ransom payments.

Mass abductions have been a recurring feature of insecurity in the country, particularly in northern regions. In one recent case, more than 300 students and teachers were abducted from a secondary school in Niger State in late 2025, according to Reuters and later released in phases after weeks in captivity.

Authorities say efforts remain underway to locate and safely return the remaining children, as security operations continue in the area.