At least 12 pupils of Madarasatul Nurul Islam, a Quranic school in Maikujeri community, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have been kidnapped by bandits. The incident occurred on Saturday at around 10am while the children were on their way home from harvesting maize on their teacher's farm. According to a resident, Mohammed Adamu, the bandits attacked the pupils and took them away. An Okada man, Tasi'u, who attempted to escape, was shot and is currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
Another source close to the Quranic school reported that 13 people, including 12 female pupils and the younger brother of the school's proprietor, Mallam Mainasara, were kidnapped. The victims, aged between nine and 14, were abducted while stopping at a borehole to wash themselves and drink water after leaving the farm. The pupils had been working on the farm with their teacher when the teacher received information that bandits were approaching the area. The teacher immediately instructed the pupils to return home.
The Niger Police Command reported that six people were rescued during a clearance and rescue operation around Pandogari Rafi LGA. However, the police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not confirm the abduction of the pupils. The rescued victims were reportedly kidnapped by hoodlums on October 28, 2026, and were taken to Hanawanka forest, where they were rescued unhurt.
The kidnapping of the pupils is not an isolated incident. Dozens of farming communities in Borgu, Mariga, Mashegu, and Rijau LGAs have continued to flee their homes following renewed bandits' attacks. The affected farmers reported that their farm produce, including rice, soyabeans, and maize, is wasting on their farms because bandits have stopped them from harvesting.
A resident of one of the affected communities in Mariga LGA, Ibrahim Ayuba, stated that bandits have occupied some villages, forcing people to flee their homes. The attacks have resulted in the loss of three lives, injured many others, and allegations of sexual assault against women. The people from the affected areas are currently in the towns of Warari, Gulbin Boka, and Rijau.
This recent abduction is part of a series of kidnappings that have occurred in Niger State. Over 500 worshippers were kidnapped from Juma'at mosques in Dekara and four other communities 72 days ago, and no communication has been made by the abductors since then. There have been other incidents of kidnappings and attacks on farmlands and communities in the state.
A Senior Security Consultant, Auwal Bala Durumin Iya, called on the federal government to strengthen security in Nigeria's forests to address the persistent abduction of students. He stated that securing forests is critical to protecting rural communities and urban centers from kidnappers, as kidnappers deliberately target schoolchildren because their abduction attracts widespread public attention.
Key points
- 12 pupils of Madarasatul Nurul Islam were kidnapped by bandits while harvesting maize on their teacher's farm.
- The kidnapping is part of a series of attacks and abductions that have occurred in Niger State, including the kidnapping of over 500 worshippers 72 days ago.
- A security consultant called on the government to strengthen forest security to address the persistent abduction of students.
