kidnap

Mass kidnappings are a common way for gangs and armed groups to make quick money in Nigeria.

Gunmen have raided an orphanage and kidnapped at least 23 children, authorities in Nigeria report.

The gang took the children late on Sunday from an unregistered facility called the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, located in an “isolated area” in Kogi State’s capital, Lokoja, Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement on Monday.

Mass kidnappings have become a common way for gangs and armed groups to make quick money in Africa’s most populous country, especially in rural areas with little government presence.

Fanwo said the “prompt and coordinated response” of security agencies led to the rescue of 15 children but eight are still missing.

The wife of the proprietor of the orphanage was also abducted, according to the statement.

“Intensive operations are ongoing to secure the safe return of the remaining eight victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” the official said.

The orphanage was operating “illegally” in a remote location without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies, Fanwo added.

The statement did not disclose the ages of the abducted children, but it referred to them as “pupils”, which in Nigeria usually refers to someone in kindergarten or primary school, covering ages up to 12.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Nigeria faces multiple conflicts from long-running violence by the Boko Haram armed group to “bandit” gangs, farmer-herder violence and southeastern separatists.

The ISIL (ISIS)-linked Lakurawa group also operates in communities in the northwestern part of the country bordering Niger.

The North Central Zone of Nigeria, where Kogi is located, has seen violent attacks, including raids on schools, in recent months with some of the attacks blamed on armed groups.

Hundreds of students were taken by gunmen from their school in neighbouring Niger State in November in an attack security sources blamed on Boko Haram.

March 31 (UPI) — Unknown assailants abducted a foreign journalist, reportedly an American, Tuesday night in Iraq, according to Baghdad officials, who said security forces are working to secure her release.

The journalist was identified as American Shelly Kittleson by Al-Monitor, a Washington-based online news organization covering the Middle East where she is a contributor.

Iraqi specialized security forces were immediately deployed following the kidnapping and tracked down one of the assailants’ vehicles attempting to flee, causing it to overturn, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

One suspect was arrested, according to the ministry, which said efforts continue to track down the remaining suspects and secure the journalist’s release.

The U.S. State Department, which said it was aware of the kidnapping of an American journalist, described the detained suspect as having ties to Kata’ib Hezbollah, a pro-Iran militia designated by the United States as a terrorist organization.

Dylan Johnson, the State Department’s assistant secretary for global public affairs, said in a statement, without naming Kittleson, that the department had “previously fulfilled our duty” by warning that there were threats against her.

“We will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible,” Johnson said in a statement, adding that Iraq is under a Level 4 Travel Advisory.

“Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq now,” he said.

“The State Department strongly advise all Americans, including members of the press, to adhere to all travel advisories.”

Al-Monitor said it is calling for Kittleson’s “safe and immediate release.”

“We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work,” it said.

President Mark Schoeff of the Washington-based National Press Club called Kittleson’s kidnapping “alarming and unacceptable.”

“Journalists are not targets and treating them as such is an assault on press freedom everywhere,” he said in a statement.

“We call for her immediate and safe release and urge those responsible to ensure her well-being.”