Terrorists have kidnapped 14 students from an Islamic school in Pandogari, in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Reports indicate that the students were abducted on Saturday while they were assisting their teacher, also known as a Mallam, in harvesting maize on his farm in Tungan-Bako village.
Chronicle NG gathered that the gunmen stormed the farm and took the students and their teacher away.
Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, confirmed the incident on Monday, clarifying that 14 students were abducted rather than 50, as some reports claimed.
He stated that joint security operatives have begun rescue operations to secure the victims’ release.
Abiodun said, “On 31/10/2026 at about 12:30pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the 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.
“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated.”
In the meantime, the spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, criticized Governor Mohammed Bago regarding the security situation in the state.
Vatsa accused the governor of concentrating on the 2027 governorship election instead of tackling insecurity and safeguarding residents.
He further alleged that security agencies in the state were short of operational vehicles and other essential equipment needed to respond to the attacks.
“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.
“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones by gunmen without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.
