ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) 鈥� Gunmen raided an orphanage in north-central and abducted 23 pupils, authorities said Monday. Fifteen have since been rescued.
The attack took place in an “isolated area” of Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, according to a statement by the state鈥檚 commissioner, Kingsley Femi Fanwo. The facility, Dahallukitab Group of Schools, was operating illegally, he said.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The region has seen an increase in kidnappings for ransom.
The statement did not say how old the abducted children are, but the term 鈥減upil鈥� in Nigeria usually refers to someone in kindergarten or primary school, covering ages up to 12.
鈥淚ntensive operations are ongoing to secure the safe return of the remaining eight victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Fanwo said.
have come to define the insecurity in Africa鈥檚 most populous nation. Analysts say armed gangs see schools and students as 鈥渟trategic鈥� targets to draw attention.
Nigeria is , especially in the north, where an insurgency has simmered for more than a decade.
Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are and its breakaway faction, known as ISWAP. There is also the IS-linked Lakurawa group operating in communities in the northwestern part of the country bordering Niger.
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This version corrects the spelling to Fanwo on second reference.
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