Armed bandits have reportedly kidnapped 54 villagers, including four pregnant women and several children, in Paleta community, Unguwan-Kawo, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State.
The attack occurred around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, just six days after over 300 students and teachers were abducted from St. Mary Secondary and Primary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed the community, firing sporadically, before taking villagers to an unknown location. Shockingly, some victims were reportedly seized while harvesting rice just five kilometers from a military camp. Calls for help to the nearby base in Erana came too late, as the bandits had already fled with their captives.
The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the abduction, stating that about ten people were initially reported abducted from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages on Wednesday evening. He assured that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims.
This latest incident raises urgent questions: How are bandits operating so close to military bases? Can the authorities act swiftly enough to prevent repeated attacks? How safe are communities in Shiroro LGA?