Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted 14 Islamic school students while they were helping their teacher harvest maize on a farm in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Tungan-Bako village in the Pandogari area.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the abduction on Monday, November 2, correcting earlier reports that suggested as many as 50 students had been kidnapped.
Police confirm 14 students abducted
The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that the attackers invaded the community at approximately 12:30 p.m.
“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm,” he said.
He explained that the victims were students of an Islamic school who had accompanied their teacher to the farm.
“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident,” Abiodun stated.
The police spokesperson clarified that the confirmed number of abducted students was approximately 14, not 50.
Reports also suggested that the teacher was abducted, although his status was not specifically confirmed in the quoted police statement.
Police launch rescue operation
Abiodun disclosed that security agencies had begun coordinated efforts to secure the release of the students.
“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.
The command did not immediately identify the suspected attackers or disclose whether a ransom demand had been made.
The ages and identities of the abducted students were also not released.
Opposition criticises Niger security situation
The spokesperson for Social Democratic Party governorship candidate Jonathan Vatsa criticised the security situation in the state.
He accused Governor Mohammed Bago’s administration of failing to provide adequate resources for security agencies.
“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation,” Vatsa said.
He maintained that the government needed to do more to protect rural communities against armed attacks.
The allegations represent the opposition politician’s position and have not been established as findings of an investigation.
Security agencies have continued efforts to locate the abducted students and secure their release.
