ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) 鈥� Seven children and two women abducted by gunmen at an orphanage last month in the north-central region of have been rescued by troops, the country鈥檚 army said on Wednesday.
Authorities in Kogi state said that was operating illegally and abducted 23 pupils in an 鈥渋solated area鈥� of Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, on April 26. Fifteen of those abducted were immediately rescued.
The troops intercepted and recovered the victims within a forest area in the state, army spokesman Hassan Abdullahi said in a statement.
鈥淭he rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls, and two adult females, believed to be the wives of the proprietor of the orphanage,鈥� Abdullahi said.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Armed groups attack schools and abduct students because they are seen as strategic in drawing attention and exacting huge ransoms, according to analysts. Several have been kidnapped across Nigeria.
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