Bandits abduct 14 Islamiya pupils, teacher in Niger

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 pupils of an Islamiya school alongside their teacher in Niger State.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 31, at Tungan-Bako village in the Pandogari district of Rafi Local Government Area. The armed men swooped on the victims while they were returning from harvesting maize on their teacher’s farm.

According to a report by premium times,  the teacher had earlier received information about the attackers and directed the students to return home.  However, the gunmen intercepted the pupils as they stopped at a borehole to wash up and drink water, taking them away to an unknown destination.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that security agencies are already on the trail of the kidnappers.

“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 report indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.”

The police spokesperson assured the public that joint operations are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the captives.