How 15 Niger Islamiya Pupils Were Abducted From Farm – Mallam, Police

The owner of an Islamiya school whose 15 pupils were abducted from his farm in Tungan-Bako village, via Mekunjeri in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, Malam Aminu Bako, has narrated how the children were taken by suspected bandits.

Bako told LEADERSHIP that he narrowly escaped abduction as he was approaching his farm and saw the bandits, in large numbers, abducting the pupils, all of whom were female.

He said the pupils had earlier gone to the farm to help him harvest maize when the bandits invaded, opened fire indiscriminately and took them away.

According to him, “I was about to enter the farm, about a kilometre away, when I noticed unusual movements, gunshots and wailing around the farm. I immediately told the motorcyclist who took me there to turn back.

“When we were about to turn back, one of them sighted us and pursued us on a motorcycle until we reached a point where we saw a security checkpoint. They immediately turned back.”

Bako said the bandits had not contacted him directly, but added that he learnt that some community leaders had been contacted and demands made.

“I learnt that some leaders were contacted and demands were made,” he said.

While expressing hope that the abductors would release the children, Bako said the pupils were between 10 and 15 years old.

He said security operatives had been on top of the situation, adding that joint security teams, including local vigilantes, immediately swung into action after the incident.

A father of one of the abducted pupils, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his 12-year-old daughter was among those taken.

“The situation is emotionally draining. We don’t know where they are or what is being done to them, especially since they are female children. We are worried,” he said.

Unconfirmed sources said the bandits had contacted some village leaders, demanding food and an undisclosed sum of money before releasing the children.

It was gathered that the bandits targeted the farm because they were unhappy with villagers who had recently strengthened their vigilante group, making it difficult for them to operate in the Mekunjeri area as they previously did.

Confirming the incident to LEADERSHIP yesterday, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said suspected bandits had invaded Tungan-Bako village in Rafi Local Government Area and abducted people working on a farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident,” he said.

Abiodun, however, said joint security rescue efforts were ongoing, adding that “future developments will be communicated” appropriately.