A new wave of violence has swept across Niger State as armed bandits reportedly abducted 54 villagers from Paleta community in Unguwan-Kawo, Shiroro Local Government Area. The attack, which occurred around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, targeted farmers working in their fields, including four pregnant women and several children.
The incident comes barely six days after more than 300 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary Secondary and Primary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, a shocking event that drew national and international condemnation. The latest abduction has deepened concerns about the worsening insecurity in Niger State, particularly in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi LGAs, which have suffered repeated attacks by armed groups over the past few years.
Eyewitnesses from Paleta community described the attack as sudden and violent. According to residents, the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and opened fire into the air to scare people away. Many villagers fled for safety, but 54 were captured and taken away to an unknown location.
A local source, who did not want to be named due to fear of reprisal, told reporters that the community is located just five kilometres from a military camp. Even more disturbing, some of those abducted were reportedly taken while harvesting rice near the camp. The source said repeated distress calls were made to the military base in Erana, but personnel arrived only after the bandits had concluded their operation and escaped with the victims.
“The bandits came around 1 p.m., shooting everywhere. They packed our people, including four pregnant women and children,” the source explained. “We called the military in Erana, but they came late. By then, the bandits had gone with all the 54 villagers.”
The proximity of the attack to a military installation has raised questions about response time and coordination among security agencies, especially as Shiroro has become a hotspot for bandit activity. In recent years, many communities around the area have been abandoned due to repeated attacks, loss of farmlands, and mass displacement.
The Niger State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that bandits attacked the area but stated that about ten persons were abducted, not 54 as reported by community members.
According to Abiodun, the police received reports around 8 p.m. on November 26 indicating that armed men had kidnapped residents from both Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages, which fall within the same Shiroro axis.
“On November 26, 2025 at about 8 p.m., based on report received, suspected armed men abducted about ten persons from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages of Shiroro Local Government Area,” the police spokesman said.
He added that police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilante groups and military personnel, had begun efforts to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
However, local leaders insist that 54 villagers were taken away, stressing that the victims’ families have counted the missing individuals and compiled the list. Residents said the police figure does not reflect the reality on the ground, as many households are currently in disarray with missing relatives.
Shiroro LGA has been one of the hardest-hit areas in Niger State since banditry escalated in the North-Central region. Armed groups have repeatedly targeted villagers, farmers, miners, and even security forces. In several cases, entire communities have been forced to flee, abandoning farmlands and property.
In December 2021, bandits attacked a military base in Shiroro, killing several soldiers and civilians. Since then, calls for increased military presence and better equipment have become louder, but attacks continue.
The latest kidnapping adds to fears that bandits are growing bolder and more coordinated, especially considering the recent mass abduction of over 300 school children in Agwara. While the government has promised swift action, many residents say they feel abandoned and powerless.
Residents of Shiroro and neighboring LGAs have repeatedly appealed to both the state and federal governments for stronger security interventions. Many communities say they cannot farm, travel, or attend school safely. Farmers in particular have been targeted, leading to fears of worsening food insecurity.
A youth leader from the area said:
“We are suffering in Shiroro. Every week, these bandits come. They kidnap, they kill, they steal our farms. Government must act now. We cannot continue like this.”
Humanitarian groups estimate that thousands of people in Niger State are internally displaced due to persistent attacks. Many now live in makeshift camps, with limited access to basic needs.
As of the time of this report, the Niger State Government has not issued an official statement on the latest abduction, though officials have frequently acknowledged the severity of insecurity in Shiroro and the surrounding region.
The federal government has also been under increasing pressure to address mass kidnappings, which have become common in many northern states since 2020. Analysts say the pattern suggests organised criminal networks using kidnappings for ransom to fund weapons and expand their operations.
While police say efforts are underway to rescue the victims, residents express fear that the bandits may move them deeper into forests spanning Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara states. In past cases, victims remained in captivity for months.
Despite the growing distrust between residents and security agencies, many still hope that coordinated military operations, local vigilantes, and timely intelligence will lead to the safe return of the abducted villagers.
