Security operatives have launched a rescue operation for more than 47 farmers abducted by suspected bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The joint team, comprising personnel of the Nigerian military and the Nigeria Police Force, is currently combing the forest around Mukura village, Kasuwan-Garba District, where some of the victims are believed to have been taken.
The Punch reported that the state police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the operation in a WhatsApp message on Wednesday, saying the development followed reports of an abduction in the area.
“Reports received on 28th Sept 2026 indicated that on 27th Sept 2026 at about 3pm, suspected bandits abducted over twenty persons at Mukura village, Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga LGA. Joint security rescue efforts ongoing,” Abiodun stated.
More than 47 farmers were abducted while harvesting groundnuts at Tungan Rimi in Ma’undu-Beri Ward of Mariga LGA. Most of the victims were women, while a few men were also among those taken.
The Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Aliyu Muhamadu, who confirmed the incident, said one of the abducted women reportedly gave birth while in captivity.
“Yes, some of my people were abducted and they were in the farm harvesting groundnuts. Many of them are women and there were some men. One of the women gave birth in the abductors camp and the abductors are asking for N2 million from each victim,” he said.
Muhamadu added that security personnel and local vigilantes had been mobilised to search for the victims, disclosing that they engaged the abductors in a gun battle.
“The joint security personnel and the vigilantes engaged the terrorists in a gun battle at Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan Garba and Biri, during which a vigilante sustained injuries,” Muhamadu said.
A source in the area also told PUNCH that armed men were sighted moving between Mangoro and Wamba after emerging from the Dogon Dawa axis.
According to the source, the armed men subsequently moved into the Bariki Forest, also known as Ma’undu, where the abducted farmers are suspected to be held.
