Bandits abduct 24 farmers, including pregnant women, in fresh Niger attack

A new wave of violence has hit Niger State as armed bandits abducted 24 residents, including pregnant women, during a daylight raid on a rice farm in Palaita, a community under Erena Ward in Shiroro Local Government Area.

According to a community source, the attackers stormed the area at about 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, ambushing farmers who were busy harvesting their crops. The bandits reportedly overpowered the farmers and whisked away the victims before any help could arrive.

Despite Palaita being only five kilometres from a military base in Erena, the attackers managed to flee the area with their captives, raising fresh concerns about the growing boldness and mobility of armed groups operating in Shiroro and neighbouring communities.

Earlier the same day, a different group of armed men struck the Kakuru community, also in Erena Ward, where they assaulted a blind resident and cut off his right hand after taking a mobile phone from him. The assailants reportedly arrived at about 8:00am and found only the visually impaired man at home, as other villagers were on their farms.

The victim told the attackers that the phone belonged to a neighbour who had gone to the farm, but the gang, angered by the explanation, seized the device and amputated his right hand. He is receiving first aid treatment at a patent medicine shop in the Kuduru community.

Confirming the situation, the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said efforts were underway to secure the abductees.

“On November 26, 2025, at about 8pm, a report was received indicating that suspected armed men abducted about ten persons from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages of Shiroro Local Government Area,” Abiodun said while confirming the incident. “Effort is being made to rescue the victims,” he said.

The fresh attack comes just days after gunmen kidnapped more than 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, underscoring the worsening security challenges across several northern states, where mass abductions have surged in recent days.