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Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school and their teacher while they were harvesting maize on a farm in Tungan-Bako village, Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The victims were reportedly seized on Saturday when the students accompanied their Mallam to his farm to assist with the maize harvest.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, dismissing reports that as many as 50 persons were abducted.
Abiodun said the attack occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on October 31, 2026, when suspected bandits invaded the village and abducted persons working on the farm.
He explained that preliminary reports indicated that about 14 students of an Islamiya school were among those taken while assisting their teacher.
The police spokesperson added that joint security operatives had commenced rescue operations to secure the victims' release.
He assured that further developments would be communicated as security agencies continued efforts to address the incident.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the worsening security situation in Niger State, with Vatsa accusing the state government of prioritising the 2027 governorship election over the protection of residents.
He also alleged that security agencies lacked operational vehicles and other essential equipment required to effectively confront the activities of armed groups.
Vatsa criticised the government's response to repeated attacks, arguing that issuing statements condemning violence and expressing condolences was insufficient without concrete measures to prevent further incidents.
In a related development, suspected kidnappers on Friday abducted six persons conveying the corpse of a woman from Kano State to Okpoga, headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The mourners were reportedly travelling to bury the deceased when gunmen intercepted their vehicle along the notorious Adoka Road.
The attackers allegedly abducted all six occupants of the vehicle and abandoned the corpse by the roadside.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over the security of travellers and rural communities in parts of the North-Central region.
