Terrorists Abduct 14 Islamic School Students in Niger, Police Launch Rescue Operation

Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Niger State after invading a farm where the children were helping their teacher harvest maize.

The abduction occurred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Tungan-Bako village, near Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The attackers reportedly stormed the farm at about 12:30 p.m. and seized the students while they were assisting their Islamic teacher, popularly known as Mallam, with the maize harvest.

The teacher was also reported to have been taken away by the attackers, although the police confirmation did not explicitly establish his status.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said preliminary information indicated that approximately 14 students were abducted.

He dismissed earlier reports suggesting that as many as 50 students had been taken, clarifying that the police-verified figure was 14.

Abiodun said suspected bandits invaded the community and abducted people working on the farm.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, 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,” he stated.

The police spokesperson assured residents that security operatives were working to secure the release of the abducted children.

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However, the command did not disclose whether the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ families or demanded ransom.

The latest incident has heightened concerns about the safety of children and residents in rural communities across Niger State, particularly in Rafi Local Government Area, which has experienced repeated attacks and kidnappings by armed groups.

Separately, reports have also emerged of another alleged abduction involving pupils of an Islamic school in Maikujeri, another community in Rafi Local Government Area.

An AFP report cited local and security sources as saying that around 12 children were kidnapped on Saturday while returning from their teacher’s farm, with estimates ranging from 12 to 18 victims.

It was not immediately clear whether the Maikujeri report concerned the same incident as the police-confirmed abduction at Tungan-Bako or a separate attack.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in Niger State, criticised Governor Mohammed Bago over the worsening security situation.

Vatsa accused the state government of concentrating on political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election instead of adequately addressing insecurity.

He also alleged that security agencies in the state lacked operational vehicles and other essential equipment needed to confront armed groups.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation,” he said.

Vatsa further criticised what he described as the government’s reliance on statements condemning attacks and expressing sympathy for victims without taking sufficient practical measures to prevent further incidents.

However, the immediate priority remains the safe return of the abducted children, as security operatives continue their rescue efforts.