By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Students of an Islamiyya school and their teacher in Tungan-Bako village, Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, while the students were helping their Islamic teacher, known as Mallam, harvest maize on his farm.
The armed men reportedly invaded the farm and took the students and their teacher to an unknown destination.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, clarifying that 14 students were abducted, contrary to reports that as many as 50 students were kidnapped.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Abiodun said preliminary information showed that the victims were assisting their teacher with maize harvesting when the attackers struck.
He added that a joint security operation was underway to rescue the abducted victims.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, criticised Governor Umaru Bago over the state’s worsening security situation.
Vatsa accused the state government of prioritising political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election instead of addressing insecurity.
He also raised concerns about the alleged shortage of operational vehicles and other essential equipment for security agencies.
He faulted the government for repeatedly issuing statements condemning attacks without taking concrete steps to prevent further incidents.
However, the Niger State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, said the Bago administration was deploying available resources and working with security agencies to tackle insecurity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rescuing abducted persons, preventing further attacks and restoring peace across the state.
