Bandits Abduct 29 Women, Child in Niger Communities as 11 Escape

Suspected bandits have abducted 29 women and a male child during attacks on four communities in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, with 11 of the female victims reportedly escaping from captivity.

The affected communities are Kwimo, Kalgo, Kakaki and Mabona.

The latest development was disclosed in an operational update by the Nigeria Police Force covering security operations across several states between October 27 and 28, 2026.

According to the report, the 11 women escaped from their abductors’ hideout following sustained tactical pressure from police operatives.

Security personnel are continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction. The State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna is investigating the incident.

A resident, Mohammed Ibrahim, said a joint security team led by operatives of the Bangi Police Division immediately launched a pursuit of the attackers after the incident.

He said the security operatives tracked the assailants, leading to efforts to rescue the abducted residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the attack and the ensuing security operation.

Mariga Local Government Area has experienced repeated attacks and kidnappings in recent months, raising concerns over the safety of residents, particularly those in rural communities.

In September, suspected bandits abducted dozens of farmers, most of them women, while they were harvesting groundnuts in the area. The police confirmed that more than 20 people were abducted, while the local government chairman put the figure at 47.

The recurring attacks have heightened concerns about the security of farming communities and the impact of kidnappings on residents’ livelihoods.

As of the latest available report, efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims of the latest abduction.

The status of the male child and the exact number of victims still in captivity had not been independently established in the reports reviewed.