At least six teenage girls, aged between 15 and 17, have reportedly been abducted by armed men in the Pandogari community of Rafi Local Government Area, Niger State.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, also resulted in the killing of a local vigilante, Aliyu Aminu. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants invaded the area from the Birnin Gwari axis, passing through Mamman Kontagora Technical College before carrying out the abductions.
Escalating Insecurity in the Region
According to community sources, the attackers moved from house to house during the night raid, forcefully taking the victims. It was gathered that the kidnapped girls were later transported to Kwangel Forest, a notorious hideout for criminal groups.
Residents expressed growing concerns over the increasing frequency of these attacks, with one source noting that the Wednesday assault marked the third such incident within a week.
“These attacks resumed immediately after the Kaduna State Government initiated negotiations with the armed groups in Birnin Gwari,” a local source disclosed. “Last week, they kidnapped several people, including a village head. Before this latest incident, they had already attacked twice.”
Local Authorities Call for Urgent Action
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Usman Katako, emphasized the need for collaboration between Niger and Kaduna state governments to enhance security and protect vulnerable communities.
“It is true that bandits attacked the Pandogari community. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated event—this is the third attack in two weeks,” Katako told reporters. “In previous incidents, they kidnapped several residents. On Wednesday, one person was killed, and eight people were taken, though four of them managed to escape.”
Legislative Efforts to Address the Crisis
Rafi Constituency’s representative in the Niger State House of Assembly, Zubairu Isma’ila Zannan Kwangoma, raised an urgent motion during a legislative session, drawing attention to the deteriorating security situation.
He revealed that within just one month, terrorists had abducted 122 people and killed two residents in Rafi LGA. The most affected areas, he noted, include Pandogari, Gidigori, Ringa, and Kawo.
“These communities have suffered immense economic hardship due to these attacks, with many residents displaced and farmlands abandoned,” Kwangoma stated.
Growing Concerns Over Insecurity
The repeated attacks in Pandogari and surrounding areas highlight the worsening security crisis in Niger and Kaduna states. As negotiations between the Kaduna State Government and the armed groups continue, concerns remain about the effectiveness of such talks in curbing violence.
Local leaders and security agencies are now under increasing pressure to implement stronger measures to protect residents and prevent further kidnappings.
