Gunmen Abduct 17 Children from Kogi Orphanage, Demand Ransom

On a Sunday night around 10:30 PM, gunmen invaded the Daarul Kitab Islam Training Centre orphanage in Kogi, abducting seventeen children and the proprietor's two wives. Farouk Hassan, the proprietor, described the attack, stating that the assailants, armed and masked, forced their way into the facility.

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of N150 million for the release of the victims. Following the incident, a joint team of police and vigilante groups was deployed to track the kidnappers and rescue the remaining nine victims.

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, confirmed the distress call and the ongoing search efforts. The orphanage, which serves underprivileged children, lacks proper security measures, making it vulnerable to such attacks.

Hassan has appealed to the government for assistance in ensuring the safe return of the abducted children.