The Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger, Aliyu Bagga Muhamadu, and the state police command have confirmed the mass abduction of farmers who were harvesting groundnuts from their farms at Tungan Rimi in Ma'undu-Beri Ward of the council. According to Muhamadu, the gunmen abducted the farmers last Saturday afternoon. The incident has sparked widespread concern and fear among local residents.
The local government chairman claimed that a total of 47 farmers were abducted by the gunmen. Muhamadu also revealed that the gunmen have been in contact with some relatives of their victims, demanding ₦2 million ransom for each of the abducted victims. The demand has added to the plight of the affected families, who are already struggling to cope with the loss of their loved ones.
The Niger State Police Command has also confirmed the incident, but with a different account of the number of victims. The Command's spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that not more than 20 people were abducted at Mukura village in the Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga Local Government Area. Abiodun added that the incident was reported on September 28, and the victims were abducted at about 3 p.m. on September 27.
According to Channels Television, some unidentified sources confirmed that the gunmen were seen moving into the Bariki Forest, also known as Ma'undu, where the abducted people are suspected to be held. The forest is a known hideout for bandits and other criminal groups, making it a challenging location for security operatives to track down the abductors.
The LG Chairman, Muhamadu, revealed that security operatives and local vigilantes have been mobilised to rescue the victims. He also disclosed that one of the abducted women had given birth while in captivity, adding to the humanitarian concerns surrounding the incident. The development has prompted calls for increased security presence in the area to prevent future attacks.
The Niger Police Command spokesperson, SP Abiodun, assured that joint security rescue efforts are ongoing to bring the abductees back home. The police command is working closely with other security agencies to track down the abductors and secure the release of the victims. The incident has highlighted the need for improved security measures to protect farmers and residents in the area.
The mass abduction of groundnut farmers in Niger state has sparked fears of increased insecurity in the region. The incident has also raised concerns about the impact on agricultural activities and the livelihoods of local communities. As the search for the abducted victims continues, residents are calling for increased security presence and measures to prevent future attacks.
Key points
- - 47 farmers were abducted by gunmen, according to the local government chairman. - The gunmen are demanding ₦2 million ransom for each of the abducted victims. - Joint security rescue efforts are ongoing to bring the abductees back home.
