Terrorists have abducted dozens of farmers in separate incidents in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, with the local government chairman putting the number of victims at 47.
The farmers were reportedly abducted while harvesting groundnuts at Tungan Rimi in Ma’undu-Beri Ward on Saturday afternoon.
Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Aliyu Bagga Muhamadu, said the terrorists also abducted men working on nearby farms.
According to him, the abductors have contacted some relatives of the victims and are demanding ₦2 million for the release of each person.
The chairman also said one of the abducted women reportedly gave birth while in captivity.
Security personnel and local vigilantes have been mobilised to search for the victims and apprehend the abductors.
Muhamadu said the security team engaged the terrorists around Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan Garba and Biri, during which a vigilante sustained injuries.
The victims are believed to have been taken towards the Bariki Forest, also known as Ma’undu Forest.
However, the Niger State Police Command gave a lower figure, confirming that more than 20 people were abducted at Mukura village in the Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga Local Government Area.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident was reported on September 28 and occurred at about 3 p.m. on September 27.
He said joint security forces were continuing efforts to rescue the victims.
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The conflicting figures from the local government and police could not immediately be reconciled, while efforts to rescue those abducted were ongoing.
