Bandits Abduct 14 Islamic School Students in Niger State

On October 31, 2026, suspected bandits kidnapped 14 students from an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area, while they were helping their teacher harvest maize on a farm in Tungan-Bako village. The armed men attacked the farm around 12:30 pm, seizing the students along with their Mallam, the Islamic teacher.

Following the incident, Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer, refuted earlier reports that claimed 50 victims were taken. In a statement issued on November 2, 2026, he clarified the situation.

The kidnapping drew criticism from Jonathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, who accused Governor Mohammed Bago of failing to protect residents from increasing insecurity. Vatsa alleged that security agencies in Niger State lack adequate vehicles and equipment to respond effectively to such attacks and accused the governor of prioritizing his political ambitions for 2027 over the safety of citizens.