Niger School Abduction: Teacher Names Victims, Appeals For Urgent Government Intervention

Suspected bandits who abducted students of an Islamiya school in Tungan-Bako village, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly demanded more than ₦100 million as ransom for their release.

The schoolteacher, Malam Aminu Bako, disclosed that the kidnappers contacted community leaders to communicate their demand after abducting the children while they were harvesting maize on his farm over the weekend.

Bako identified 15 students as victims of the attack and appealed to the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to intensify efforts to secure their safe return.

The teacher expressed concern about the students’ welfare, saying their families were under considerable emotional pressure because of the uncertainty surrounding their whereabouts and condition.

He alleged that the affected families had received little practical assistance since the incident, leaving local vigilantes to take the lead in efforts to gather information about the abductors. According to him, the chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and the Divisional Police Officer were among the few officials who had visited the community.

Bako further disclosed that information gathered by local vigilantes suggested the children were still being held somewhere within Niger State, allegedly in an isolated building guarded by armed men.

He said the community was worried that the abducted students might be enduring difficult conditions in captivity and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue them.

A parent, Malami Adamu, also confirmed that the abductors had made a ransom demand. He explained that the kidnappers initially believed the victims attended government-owned schools and demanded more than ₦100 million before being informed that they were students of an Islamiya school.

Adamu appealed to the Niger State Government to intervene and provide additional security support, stressing that local vigilantes should not be left to handle the situation alone.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village and abducted several people who were working on a farm.

Abiodun stated that police reports indicated that about 14 of the victims were Islamiya students. He assured that joint security operations were ongoing to locate the abductors and secure the victims’ release.

The teacher identified the abducted students as Hassana Isah, Aliya Ahmad, Hajara Musa, Hauwa’u Abubakar, Halima Yahaya, Asma’u Jamilu, Radiya Salisu, Aminatu Salisu, Aisha Bello, Rahinatu Sani, Aminatu Alhassan, Nafisa Ayuba, Bilkisu Adamu, Salaha Abdullahi and Hajara Salisu.

The abduction has heightened anxiety among residents and affected families, who are calling for urgent intervention to ensure the safe return of the children.