Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following an attack on a farm in Tungan-Bako village.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday while assisting their Mallam, an Islamic school teacher, in harvesting maize on his farm.
The gunmen were said to have stormed the farmland and taken away the students alongside their teacher.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, dismissing reports that 50 persons were abducted.
The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said 14 students were taken by the attackers.
Abiodun stated that joint security operatives had commenced efforts to rescue the victims and ensure their safe return.
He said, “On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on 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.
“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, Jonathan Vatsa, has criticised Governor Mohammed Bago over the persistent insecurity in Niger State.
Vatsa accused the governor of prioritising his political ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship election at the expense of addressing security challenges confronting residents.
He also alleged that security agencies in the state were poorly equipped, claiming they lacked operational vehicles and other essential resources needed to combat the attacks.
“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.
“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones by gunmen without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.
In a related development, suspected kidnappers on Friday abducted six mourners travelling with the corpse of a woman to Okpoga, the headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The mourners were reportedly travelling from Kano to Okpoga for the burial when the gunmen intercepted their vehicle along the notorious Adoka Road.
The attackers allegedly whisked away the six occupants of the vehicle, leaving the corpse abandoned on the road.
