Several passengers, including prominent government officials, were reportedly abducted by suspected bandits on Monday along the Mokwa–New Bussa road in Niger State.
Among those believed to have been kidnapped are Ahmed Mohammed, a Commissioner with the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, and Alhaji Bawa Niworo, a former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board.
According to reports, the attack occurred near Ibbi, in Mashegu Local Government Area, when armed men believed to be fleeing from Kwara State blocked the highway and intercepted multiple vehicles.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Minna by its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun. “On 29th Sept., 2025 at about 11:30 a.m., suspected armed men attacked the Police nipping point along Ibbi–Bussa road,” the statement read.
Abiodun explained that a police tactical team at the checkpoint engaged the attackers in a gun battle and successfully repelled the assault. However, during the exchange, the police patrol vehicle was hit by bullets, and one officer sustained gunshot injuries. The injured officer was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
He further disclosed that after the confrontation, the armed men moved ahead of the police checkpoint and blocked the road, abducting several passengers from about three vehicles. “Unfortunately, the fleeing armed men later blocked the road ahead of the Police nipping point and abducted some passengers along the road from about three vehicles,” Abiodun stated.
The police have since deployed additional tactical teams in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to pursue the kidnappers. Efforts are underway to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspects behind the attack.
