In the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, gunmen who are thought to be bandits have raided Bena village and the surrounding environs, abducting at least 16 persons.

Lawali Umar, the secretary of the Wasagu Security Committee, confirmed the occurrence and claimed that the bandits had taken hostages after ambushing victims who were working on their guinea corn plantations.

According to Umar, six persons were kidnapped by bandits during a recent raid on the Tudun Wada region.

Army forces responded to the situation by fighting the bandits, repelling their onslaught, and freeing six people who had been kidnapped.

Although some of the 16 people who were initially abducted were able to get away, the bandits are still holding about nine of them hostage and are requesting an undisclosed ransom.

Umar urged the Kebbi State Government to bolster security in strategic weak spots, specifically Yar Maitaba, Mai Rai Rai, and Tungar Sabo, which he said are well-known bandit strongholds.

He said, “We applaud the state government’s efforts against banditry, but our farmers need better security as the guinea corn harvest season approaches.”

As of the time this report was filed, Nafiu Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, had not yet responded to the incident.