Gunmen abduct 14 Islamic school students in Niger

File photo: Illustration image of gunmen

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The students were reportedly abducted on Saturday while helping their teacher, also known as a Mallam, harvest maize on his farm in Tungan-Bako village.

PUNCH learnt that the gunmen invaded the farm and whisked away the students and their teacher.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, clarifying that 14 students were abducted and not 50, as reported in some quarters.

He said joint security operatives had commenced rescue efforts to secure the release of the victims.

Abiodun said, “On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated.”

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Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, criticised Governor Mohammed Bago over the security situation in the state.

Vatsa accused the governor of focusing on the 2027 governorship election rather than addressing insecurity and protecting residents.

He also alleged that security agencies in the state lacked operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to tackle the attacks.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.

“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones by gunmen without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.

On Friday, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted six persons conveying the corpse of a woman to Okpoga, headquarters of the Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to sources, the mourners left Kano for Okpoga to bury the deceased but were intercepted by the gunmen along the notorious Adoka Road.

The attackers reportedly abducted the six occupants of the vehicle and abandoned the corpse on the road.

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