Bandits Abduct 47 Women, Others Harvesting Groundnuts in Niger, Demand N2m Ransom Each

Suspected bandits have abducted more than 47 farmers, mostly women, while they were harvesting groundnuts on their farms in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The victims were reportedly taken from farms around Tungan Rimi in the Ma’undu-Beri Ward of the local government area on Saturday afternoon.

The Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Aliyu Bagga Muhamadu, confirmed the incident, saying the abducted farmers included mostly women and some men.

He disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted relatives of some of the victims and were demanding N2 million for the release of each person.

Muhamadu also said information reaching the local government indicated that one of the abducted women had given birth while in captivity.

Following the abduction, security operatives and local vigilantes were mobilised to search for the victims and track the suspected bandits.

The council chairman said the joint security team later engaged the suspected abductors around Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan Garba and Biri. A vigilante was reportedly injured during the encounter.

A source familiar with developments in the area said the armed men were seen moving through areas between Mangoro and Wamba after reportedly emerging from the Dogon Dawa axis.

The source added that the abductors were believed to have moved into the Bariki Forest, also known as Ma’undu, where the victims were suspected to be held.

However, the Niger State Police Command gave a lower figure for the number of people abducted.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said the command received a report that suspected bandits abducted more than 20 people at Mukura village in the Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga Local Government Area.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 3pm on September 27 and was reported to the command on September 28.

Abiodun said joint security efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

The difference between the figure provided by the local government chairman and the police has not been fully reconciled.

The incident has heightened concerns over the security of farmers in parts of Niger State, where attacks and kidnappings have continued to affect farming activities and movement in rural communities.

Security personnel and local vigilantes remain engaged in efforts to locate the abducted farmers and secure their release.