Troops of the Nigerian army have rescued seven children and two women who were abducted from an orphanage in north-central Nigeria last month, the military announced on Wednesday.
Details of the Rescue Operation
According to army spokesman Hassan Abdullahi, the operation took place in a forest area of Kogi state, where the victims were intercepted and recovered. The rescued individuals included five boys, two girls, and two adult women believed to be the wives of the orphanage owner.
Background of the Abduction
The abduction occurred on April 26 when gunmen attacked an Islamic orphanage operating illegally in an isolated area of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi state. A total of 23 pupils were taken, though 15 were rescued immediately after the attack.
No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Analysts note that armed groups in Nigeria often target schools and orphanages to draw attention and demand large ransoms. Hundreds of students have been kidnapped across the country in recent years.
