Fourteen students of an Islamic school have reportedly been kidnapped by suspected bandits in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday, saying the attack occurred on Saturday afternoon.
According to Abiodun, the students were harvesting maize on a farm owned by their teacher in Tungan-Bako village when the armed men stormed the area and abducted them.
“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 police spokesperson said.
“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.”
The incident adds to the growing security concerns in northern Nigeria, where cases of kidnapping and attacks by armed groups have continued to be reported.
On Friday, suspected kidnappers reportedly seized six people who were transporting a woman’s corpse to Okpoga, the headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Similarly, on Saturday, three of the six Zamfara clerics abducted six weeks earlier regained their freedom.
The clerics were kidnapped on September 12 along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area while travelling to Talata Mafara, after armed bandits intercepted their vehicles.