The Niger State Police Command has deployed tactical teams alongside the military to rescue more than 100 residents abducted by suspected bandits from Maburya community in Mariga Local Government Area.

The attackers reportedly invaded the community on Saturday night, shooting sporadically into the air before taking the residents into a nearby forest.

Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident, saying a report was received by the Bangi Division on September 13 at about 8pm that suspected bandits had invaded Maburya village and abducted an unspecified number of people.

He said the attackers later released some elderly persons, pregnant women and nursing mothers, while other victims were taken away.

“Police and military tactical teams have been deployed to the location, while rescue efforts are intensified,” Abiodun said.

A local resident claimed that about 100 of the abducted residents had been released on Tuesday morning, leaving three others in captivity. However, the police had not confirmed the reported release.

The incident is the latest in a series of mass abductions recorded across Niger State. More than 500 people were reportedly abducted from communities in Borgu Local Government Area in August, with the victims still being held by terrorists.

A security source attributed the difficulty in tracking the attackers to the proximity of Mariga to the extensive Kainji Lake National Park and other forest reserves, which provide cover for criminal groups.

The police said rescue operations were ongoing and promised to provide further information as developments emerged.