In a brazen afternoon attack, armed bandits have kidnapped twenty farmers, including four pregnant women and children, in Niger State. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlights the escalating security crisis in the region.
Details of the Unguwan-Kawo Abduction
The abduction took place in Unguwan-Kawo, Erena Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area. According to residents who spoke to journalists, the victims were forcibly taken from their farms at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. At the time of the attack, the community members were harvesting rice, a crucial economic activity for their survival.
One distressed resident, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, confirmed that his nephew was among those kidnapped. He revealed a particularly alarming detail: the farm is located a mere 500 meters from Erena town, which hosts a military camp. This proximity to a security outpost has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of current security measures.
A Deepening Security Crisis
This tragic event is not an isolated incident. It occurs against a backdrop of severe security challenges in Niger State. Most notably, this kidnapping happened just six days after 300 students, pupils, and staff were abducted from the St. Mary Secondary and Primary School in Papiri, located in the Agwara Local Government Area.
The frequency and scale of these attacks suggest a worsening security situation that requires immediate and decisive action from authorities. When contacted for an official statement, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that he would first need to verify the report before commenting further.
The repeated targeting of civilians, including the most vulnerable members of society like pregnant women and children, underscores the urgent need for a reinforced and more proactive security strategy to protect lives and livelihoods in Niger State.
