Terrorists have launched another devastating assault on Niger State, kidnapping 24 people, including a pregnant woman, and mutilating a blind citizen in separate attacks in the same local government region.
The most recent incidence occurred on Wednesday in Palaita village, Erena Local Government Area, when armed men stormed a farmland as workers were harvesting crops.
Witnesses reported that the attackers collected up the workers and rushed them into the bush. Among those taken was a highly pregnant woman.
In a different invasion within the same local government region, the thieves reportedly severed the limb of a blind man after he allegedly refused to “cooperate” with their demands.
Residents say the recurrent attacks have heightened panic in surrounding villages, prompting calls for urgent government intervention to end the state’s rising instability.
Terrorists abducted several students and staff members from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA, of Niger State.
The attack took place between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday.
In a statement, the Niger State Government said it received with deep sadness the report of the kidnapping. Officials noted that the exact number of abducted pupils had yet to be confirmed as security agencies continued their assessment.
The statement, signed by Abubakar Usman, secretary to the state government, explained that authorities had earlier obtained intelligence pointing to rising security threats in parts of the northern senatorial district.
In response to those warnings, the government suspended all construction activities and ordered the temporary closure of boarding schools in the affected zone.
According to the state, St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without informing or seeking clearance from authorities.
Security agencies have begun a full investigation and search-and-rescue operation to secure the release of the pupils.
