A joint security operation comprising the Nigerian military and police has been launched in the Niger State forest to rescue abducted farmers. The operation is focused on Mukura village, Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga Local Government Area, where the abductions occurred. According to police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun, reports received on September 28, 2026, indicated that suspected bandits abducted over 20 persons on September 27, 2026, at around 3 pm.
The abduction incident involved more than 47 farmers, mostly women, who were harvesting groundnuts on their farms at Tungan Rimi in Ma'undu-Beri Ward of Mariga LGA. The victims included a few men, and one of the women gave birth during the abduction. The abductors have made contact with some relatives of the victims, demanding N2m each for their release.
Chairman of Mariga LGA, Alhaji Aliyu Muhamadu, confirmed the abduction, stating that the majority of the victims were females. He disclosed that the abductors were demanding N2m for each victim and that one of the women gave birth in the abductors' camp. Muhamadu also revealed that security personnel and local vigilantes had been mobilized to rescue the victims.
A gun battle between joint security personnel, local vigilantes, and the terrorists occurred at Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan Garba and Biri. During the encounter, a vigilante sustained injuries. A source in Mariga LGA reported sighting armed men moving through areas between Mangoro and Wamba, emerging from the Dogon Dawa axis, and entering the Bariki Forest, also known as Ma'undu, where the victims were suspected to be held.
The joint security operation aims to rescue the abducted farmers and bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident is part of a broader security challenge in the region, where banditry and kidnapping have become increasingly prevalent. The Nigerian military and police have been working to address the issue, with recent activations of new formations in Kebbi to combat banditry.
According to the military, they have recorded 367 attacks and killed 52 terrorists in September. The incident highlights the need for sustained efforts to address the security situation in the region. The Nigerian government has been working to improve security and rescue abducted persons, but the challenge persists.
The abduction of the farmers has caused concern among local communities, who are calling for increased security measures to protect them from bandits. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of current security strategies and the need for more robust approaches to address the root causes of banditry and kidnapping in the region.
Key points
- Over 47 farmers were abducted by bandits in Niger State's Mariga Local Government Area.
- The abductors are demanding N2m for each victim's release.
- A joint security operation has been launched to rescue the abducted farmers.
