• Gunmen abducted 23 children from an unregistered orphanage in Kogi State, Nigeria.
• 15 children have been rescued, but eight remain missing, with intensive search operations ongoing.
• The orphanage was found to be operating illegally, highlighting governance issues in the area.

In a disturbing incident, gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage in Kogi State, Nigeria, abducing at least 23 children late on Sunday, according to Africanews. The orphanage, known as the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, was located in an "isolated area" of the capital city, Lokoja. Kogi's Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, reported that 15 children have been rescued following a "prompt and coordinated response" from security agencies, while eight children remain unaccounted for.

The raid also resulted in the abduction of the orphanage owner's wife, and Fanwo indicated that "intensive operations" are in progress to locate the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the crime. He noted that the orphanage was operating illegally and lacked the necessary government registration, complicating the situation, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.

The widespread issue of mass kidnappings in Nigeria often involves gangs and armed groups seeking quick financial gain, particularly in rural areas with minimal government oversight. A statement from Fanwo indicated, "The government remains fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all the victims," a sentiment echoed in the reports from Africanews and BBC.