20 Farmers, Including Pregnant Women, Abducted in Niger Just Days After School Kidnapping

• About 20 farmers, including pregnant women and children, were reportedly kidnapped in Shiroro LGA
• Victims were taken from a rice farm just 500 meters from a nearby military camp
• Police say the incident is under verification, raising fears after recent Papiri school abductions

About 20 farmers, including four pregnant women and a few children, have been reportedly kidnapped by bandits in Unguwan-Kawo, Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger state.

Residents said the victims were taken from their rice farm around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26.

One man, speaking on condition of anonymity, as disclosed by Daily Trust, said his nephew was among those kidnapped. He noted that the farm is just 500 meters from Erena town, where a military camp is located.

This comes only six days after more than 200 students and school staff were abducted from St. Mary’s schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA.

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The police in Niger state, through spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the report is being checked.

Governor says students “missing, not abducted”

In a related development, Umaru Bago, governor of Niger state, told the public that many of the students reported missing after the St. Mary’s Catholic School attack are presumed to have fled into nearby forests, not necessarily abducted.

He confirmed security operations are ongoing and some children have already been rescued. Authorities have opened a register to account for all students, while boarding schools in the area remain closed until safety is assured.

Several community and religious leaders warned that framing the incident solely as a religious‑minority attack, without verified facts, risks fuelling tension.

Niger school attack: Missing count uncertain

In a related development, Legit.ng reported that about 50 schoolchildren managed to escape after armed bandits attacked a Catholic school in Niger state.

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Authorities remain uncertain about the actual number of missing pupils, as the school’s leadership, under instruction from the bishop, declined to share names or exact figures with security agencies.

While the escape has given some relief, uncertainty still looms for many families. Investigations continue, but with limited cooperation, the full extent of the abduction remains unclear.

Police cast doubt on Niger students’ escape

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Niger state Police Command said it cannot verify claims that 50 pupils who were abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri have escaped.

The police commissioner, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, explained that although the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported the escape, they have not been given a satisfactory explanation of how the children fled, no route, health status or names have been verified.

Despite uncertainty from security forces, CAN insists 50 children have returned to their parents, but with many others still in captivity, the situation remains tragic and unresolved.

US Presses Nigeria on school abductions

In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the United States Department of State condemned the mass school kidnappings in Niger and Kebbi states, urging the government to swiftly capture and prosecute the terrorists.

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The statement highlighted abductions of more than 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State and 25 schoolgirls from a secondary school in Kebbi State, demanding stronger protection for Christians and safe learning environments.

The US also signalled readiness to deepen security cooperation and support Nigeria with intelligence sharing, urging decisive action to prevent future attacks on schools and safeguard children’s right to education.

Source: Legit.ng