Bandits abduct 14 Islamic faculty college students in recent Niger assault

Suspected bandits have kidnapped about 14 college students of an Islamic faculty in Tungan-Bako village, Pandogari space of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, whereas they have been serving to their instructor harvest maize on his farm.

The incident occurred at about 12.30pm on Saturday, October 31, when armed males reportedly invaded the neighborhood and seized the scholars engaged on the farm.

The Niger state Police command confirmed the kidnapping on Monday, saying joint safety groups had commenced efforts to rescue the victims, blueprint reviews.

The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, stated preliminary info indicated that the kidnapped individuals have been college students of an Islamiya faculty who had accompanied their Mallam to the farm for the maize harvest.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village through Rafi LGA and kidnapped some individuals engaged on the farm.

“The report additional indicated that the kidnapped victims have been about 14 college students of an Islamiya serving to their Mallam to reap maize on the farm earlier than the incident.

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

The police assertion didn’t present the identities or ages of the victims, disclose their whereabouts or point out whether or not the attackers had made any ransom demand.

Police make clear variety of kidnapped college students

The police affirmation comes amid various reviews concerning the variety of individuals taken throughout the assault, with some accounts initially suggesting that as many as 50 college students had been kidnapped.

However, Abiodun put the determine at about 14, offering the primary official account of the incident.

While some media reviews additionally claimed that the scholars’ instructor was kidnapped alongside them, the police assertion quoted within the reviews recognized the victims as the scholars and didn’t expressly affirm the instructor’s standing.

The command has but to announce any rescue or present additional info on the operation as of the time of submitting this report.

Fresh assault amid insecurity in Rafi

The newest incident has renewed issues over the safety scenario in Rafi, one of many native authorities areas in Niger State which have skilled repeated assaults by armed teams.

Only days earlier than the kidnapping, police introduced the rescue of six farmers who have been kidnapped from their farms in Mahangi village, close to Pandogari, additionally in Rafi Local Government Area.

The farmers have been reportedly kidnapped on October 28, 2026 and brought to Hanawanka Forest. According to the police, a joint safety operation led to their rescue on October 29, with all six victims recovered unhurt and subsequently reunited with their households.

The command additionally reported the restoration of two AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines throughout a separate safety operation in Borgu Local Government Area on October 30, 2026.

The incidents spotlight the persevering with dangers confronted by farming communities in components of Niger state, significantly as residents interact in agricultural actions throughout the harvest season.

The abduction of the Islamic faculty college students has additionally raised issues concerning the security of kids outdoors the classroom, because the victims have been reportedly finishing up farm work when the attackers struck.

Security companies are anticipated to maintain efforts to find the kidnapped college students and safe their secure return.