Security forces search Niger forest after farmers abducted

A joint operation by the Nigerian military and police is searching forests in Niger State for farmers abducted in Mariga Local Government Area, according to the state police command. Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said in a Wednesday WhatsApp message that security personnel were combing the area around Mukura village in the Kasuwan-Garba District. He said police received reports that suspected bandits abducted more than 20 people there on September 27 at about 3pm.

The chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Aliyu Muhamadu, gave a higher estimate, saying more than 47 farmers were taken while harvesting groundnuts at Tungan Rimi in Ma’undu-Beri Ward. He said most of those abducted were women, with a few men among the victims. Muhamadu said one of the women gave birth while in captivity.

He also said the abductors had contacted some relatives and were demanding N2m for the release of each victim. The account could not be independently verified from the material provided. The chairman said security personnel and local vigilantes had been mobilised.

He reported that they engaged the suspected abductors in a gun battle at Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan Garba and Biri, during which a vigilante was injured. An unnamed source in Mariga told The PUNCH that armed men were seen moving between Mangoro and Wamba after emerging from the Dogon Dawa axis. The source said they moved into Bariki Forest, also known as Ma’undu, where the victims were suspected to be held.

Police said rescue efforts remained under way. No information was provided on whether any of the farmers had been rescued or whether arrests had been made.