Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 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, when the students were reportedly helping their teacher harvest maize on his farm.
According to Channels Television, the armed men invaded the farm and whisked away the students alongside their teacher to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the number of abducted students was 14, contrary to reports suggesting that as many as 50 students were kidnapped.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Abiodun said preliminary information indicated that the victims were students of an Islamiyya school who were assisting their Mallam with maize harvesting when the attackers struck.
He added that a joint security operation was underway to rescue the abducted victims, assuring that further developments would be communicated.
The statement reads: “On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.
”Report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiyya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm, before the incident.
”However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing. Further developments will be communicated.”
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, has criticised Governor Umaru Bago over what he described as the state government’s failure to address the worsening security situation.
Vatsa accused the governor of prioritising political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election at the expense of the security and welfare of residents.
He also expressed concern over what he described as inadequate operational vehicles and other essential equipment for security agencies to effectively confront the security challenges.
According to him, the government has continued to issue statements condemning attacks and expressing condolences to victims without taking concrete steps to prevent further incidents.
”The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condoling the people over the death of their loved ones by gunmen without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.
However, the Niger State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, said the Bago administration was deploying every available resource and working closely with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to tackle insecurity, rescue abducted persons and prevent further attacks.
He further reaffirmed the determination of the current administration to end all forms of insecurity in the state and restore lasting peace and safety to affected communities.