Bandits Kill Man, Abduct Wives, Demand N50Million Ransom In Niger Community Attack
Suspected bandits have killed a resident of Dukku town in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State and abducted his wives, escalating fears over the worsening security situation in the area.
According to a security analyst, Bakatsine, the attackers stormed the residence of Abubakar Gari on Friday night, shooting him dead before whisking away his wives to an undisclosed location.
Gari was buried on Saturday in accordance with Islamic rites.
However, shortly after the burial, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N50 million for the release of the abducted women.
According to the report, the gunmen deliberately left behind Gari’s infant child, who is still being breastfed, in what many believe is a calculated move to pressure the family into paying the ransom swiftly.
The attack has deepened anxiety among residents of Rijau LGA, where cases of killings and kidnappings have become increasingly frequent.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would verify the information.
He neither confirmed nor denied the report at the time, stating only that he would look into it. As of filing, Abiodun had not provided any further update.
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In a similar incident reported by SaharaReporters on Saturday, residents of Maje village in Borgu Local Government Area of the state were thrown into panic on Friday night after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade the community, setting several houses on fire before being repelled by local vigilantes.
According to local sources cited by security expert Bakatsine, the attackers stormed the village under the cover of darkness, targeting homes, but were confronted and driven back by the community’s vigilante group.
The incident occurred near Konkoso village, where recent massacres have heightened local fears. Observers cautioned that while self-defense may seem necessary amid rising insecurity, it must remain within the bounds of the law.
The attempted invasion came amid a series of coordinated attacks in Borgu Local Government Area over three consecutive days.
Beginning late Thursday in Feyi village within the Borgu Kingdom, the gunmen reportedly killed six people before moving on to Tungan Makeri and Nkpaso villages, both in Konkoso Ward, where they killed an additional 20 residents.
The attackers, reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons and riding motorcycles, also set a police station in Pissa ablaze before fleeing into the forest upon hearing an approaching helicopter.
Most of the affected communities have been abandoned, with residents fleeing to safer areas. Locals are appealing to authorities at all levels to intensify security operations and provide protection against further attacks.
Sahara Reporters
