Security operatives have moved into a forest in Niger State to rescue farmers abducted by suspected bandits while harvesting groundnuts in Mariga Local Government Area.

The joint operation involves personnel of the Nigerian military, Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, who are combing areas around Mukura village in the Kasuwan-Garba District of the local government.

The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the operation on Wednesday, saying security personnel were working to locate and rescue the victims.

He said the police received a report that suspected bandits abducted more than 20 people at Mukura village at about 3 p.m. on September 27.

“Joint security rescue efforts ongoing,” Abiodun said.

However, the Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Muhamadu, said more than 47 farmers were abducted while working on their farms at Tungan Rimi in the Ma’undu-Beri Ward.

He said most of the victims were women, alongside a few men, adding that one of the abducted women had reportedly given birth while in captivity.

According to Muhamadu, the abductors had contacted some relatives of the victims and demanded N2 million for each person before their release.

He said security personnel and vigilantes had been mobilised and engaged the suspected bandits in a gun battle around Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan-Garba and Biri.

A vigilante was reportedly injured during the encounter.

A source in the area said the armed men were later sighted moving between Mangoro and Wamba after emerging from the Dogon Dawa axis.

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

The reported number of victims differs between the local government and the police, with the council chairman putting the figure at more than 47 and the police confirming the abduction of more than 20 people.

Security agencies are continuing efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release.