In a devastating new security incident, armed bandits have struck again in Niger state, abducting approximately twenty farmers from their rice field. The attack, which included the kidnapping of four pregnant women and several children, occurred mere days after the mass abduction of students from a local school.
Details of the Unguwan-Kawo Farm Abduction
The kidnapping took place in Unguwan-Kawo, Erena Ward, within the Shiroro Local Government Area. According to local residents who spoke with Daily Trust, the victims were seized from their farm around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. One resident, who requested anonymity, confirmed that his nephew was among those taken.
A particularly alarming detail of this attack is the proximity of the farm to security forces. The abduction site is reportedly just 500 meters from Erena town, where a military camp is situated. This raises serious concerns about the boldness of the assailants and the security situation in the area.
A Pattern of Violence: The School Kidnapping Precedent
This agricultural community tragedy comes only six days after a major school kidnapping in the same state. In that previous incident, more than 200 students and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s schools in Papiri, located in the Agwara Local Government Area.
The police in Niger state, through their spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, have stated that they are currently verifying the reports of the latest farmer abductions.
Official Response and Community Concerns
In a related development concerning the school abduction, Governor Umaru Bago has addressed the public, suggesting that many of the students from St. Mary’s Catholic School may not have been abducted but instead fled into nearby forests for safety. He confirmed that ongoing security operations have already led to the rescue of some children.
Authorities have opened a register to account for all students, and boarding schools in the affected region remain closed until their safety can be guaranteed. Meanwhile, several community and religious leaders have issued warnings against framing the school incident solely as an attack on a religious minority without verified facts, cautioning that such narratives could dangerously inflame existing tensions.
