Gunmen abduct 14 students in Niger

Suspected bandits abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, while they were helping their teacher harvest maize, police have confirmed.

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, while the pupils were helping their teacher harvest maize on his farm in Tungan-Bako village on Saturday.

The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, clarifying that 14 students were abducted and not 50, as reported in some quarters. He said joint security operatives had begun rescue efforts to secure the victims’ release.

“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,” Abiodun said.

No group had claimed responsibility, and the identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed. Further details were not available at the time of filing this report.