23 children abducted from orphanage in Nigeria's Kogi State, eight still missing
via SeneNews1 min read
Twenty-three children were abducted from an orphanage in Kogi State, central-southern Nigeria, local authorities announced. The incident occurred overnight from Sunday to Monday at the Dahallukitab school complex, located in a remote area of Lokoja. According to Kingsley Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information, a rapid intervention by security forces led to the rescue of 15 children. However, eight minors remain missing, and the wife of the orphanage director was also abducted. "Intensive operations are underway to secure their release and apprehend the perpetrators," the official stated. Authorities also revealed that the orphanage was operating illegally, without official registration or supervision from competent services, in a remote environment. This event occurs within a concerning security context in Nigeria, which regularly faces mass abductions orchestrated by criminal groups seeking ransoms. The central part of the country, in particular, has become a hotbed of violence targeting vulnerable populations, including schools, in recent months. These recurring attacks revive concerns about the safety of children and the authorities' ability to curb this phenomenon.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
The highly anticipated 'Bal des Grands' event, featuring mbalax king Youssou Ndour, was canceled in Bamako on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The concert was interrupted and subsequently called off following a curfew imposed in the Malian capital starting at 9 PM. Guests were already seated and opening acts were present when the decision was announced. Event promoter Abou Guitteye took to the stage to announce the cancellation and postponement, citing the country's security crisis, including jihadist attacks in several cities. He expressed his disappointment, noting months of preparation, but emphasized that the safety of attendees was the priority. Youssou Ndour, who was expected to perform around midnight, did not appear at the venue.
Must ReadThe program "La Bonne heure" on Monday, April 27, 2026, featured a discussion with chronicler Ahmadou Makhtar Kanté, focusing on significant socio-political developments in Senegal. The episode addressed judicial reforms and constitutional changes, highlighting the interactions between Ndeye Khady Ndiaye and the Pastef political party. The broadcast explored current events and their implications for the Senegalese political landscape.
Must ReadThe Joint Maritime Information Centre JMIC has elevated the maritime threat level off Somalia to "significant" following several reported pirate attacks in recent days, marking the first such incidents in months. The JMIC, managed by the Combined Maritime Forces CMF, an international maritime coalition of 47 countries, stated in its latest bulletin that a pirate group appears to be active in the Somali Basin. The most recent event involved pirates taking control of a cargo ship off Somalia's northeast coast. The "significant" threat level, the third highest on JMIC's five-tier scale, indicates a high possibility of attack. The UK Maritime Trade Operations UKMTO also reported increased threats, including individuals seizing a cargo ship six nautical miles from Garacad port on Sunday. The previous day, UKMTO noted the hijacking of an oil tanker on April 21, approximately 45 nautical miles off the Somali coast. On April 23, UKMTO reported that a cargo ship's crew deterred armed men approaching in two small boats 83 nautical miles off the northeast coast. In its weekly dashboard for April 6-12, the JMIC had considered the pirate threat in the Somali Basin to be "low," with no confirmed active pirate groups. The last incident recorded by JMIC in this area was an attempted pirate attack on an oil tanker on November 7, 2025. Piracy off Somalia had significantly decreased after a peak in 2011, largely due to the deployment of international military vessels, the establishment of an EU
The Senegalese Football Federation FSF is embroiled in controversy following revelations that its headquarters are located in a building owned by player Sadio Mané and rented by the FSF. This information, reported by Les Échos, has sparked significant reactions. Pape Alé Niang, Director General of RTS, a figure known for his strong opinions, has sharply criticized the situation, questioning the FSF's financial management. Niang expressed difficulty understanding why an institution benefiting from the resources of Senegalese football, an African champion with a regular global presence, does not own its own headquarters. He drew comparisons to less athletically successful countries that possess more modern administrative infrastructures. This strong critique has reignited discussions about governance and transparency within Senegalese football, highlighting a contrast between the national team's sporting achievements and the institutional image of its federation. The FSF has not yet officially responded to these criticisms or the published information. Public opinion calls for swift clarification to resolve any confusion as the debate intensifies around the management of the institution led by Abdoulaye Fall.