A routine trip to a maize farm has turned into a nightmare for families in Maikujeri community, Niger State, after armed bandits reportedly abducted at least 12 female pupils of an Islamic school and possibly several women in separate attacks.
The schoolgirls, aged between nine and 14, were reportedly seized on Saturday morning in Maikujeri, Rafi Local Government Area, while returning from their teacher’s farm.
The victims attend Madarasatul Nurul Islam, a Quranic school in the community.
Residents said the pupils had been harvesting maize on the teacher’s farm when information reportedly reached him that armed bandits were approaching the area.
The teacher was said to have immediately directed the children to return home.
But their journey to safety ended at a borehole where they had stopped to wash and drink water. The gunmen reportedly swooped on them and whisked them away.
A resident, Mohammed Adamu, confirmed that the pupils were already on their way home when the attackers struck.
There are conflicting accounts about the number of victims. While initial reports put the number of abducted schoolgirls at 12, a source close to the school claimed that 13 people were taken, including the younger brother of the proprietor, Malam Mainasara.
The source also disclosed that some women were reportedly abducted from another farm in the area, suggesting that the incident may have involved multiple groups of victims.
An Okada rider identified as Tasi’u was also shot while reportedly attempting to escape during the attack. He is receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the vulnerability of rural communities in Niger State, where residents continue to face threats from armed groups operating around farming settlements.
When contacted, Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to verify the reported abduction but did not directly confirm the kidnapping of the schoolgirls.
He, however, disclosed that security operatives had rescued six people abducted from farms in Mahangi village, also in Rafi Local Government Area.
Abiodun said the victims were kidnapped on October 28 and taken to Hanawanka Forest before joint security teams rescued them unharmed on October 29.
The rescued victims were taken to Kagara Divisional Police Headquarters for debriefing and medical attention ahead of their reunion with their families.
It was not immediately clear whether the police account of the six rescued victims was connected to the latest reported abduction of the schoolgirls.
