Gunmen storm Islamic school in Niger, abduct 14 students

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted 14 Islamic school students in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger state.

Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in Niger state, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday, noting that it occurred on Saturday afternoon.

Abiodun said the students were harvesting maize on a farm belonging to their teacher in Tungan-Bako village when the gunmen attacked them.

“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 police spokesperson said.

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

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated.”

The abduction comes amid persistent insecurity in northern Nigeria, where several kidnapping incidents have been reported.

On Friday, suspected kidnappers abducted six persons conveying a woman’s corpse to Okpoga, headquarters of Okpokwu LGA of Benue state.

Also on Saturday, three of six abducted Zamfara clerics regained their freedom after six weeks in captivity.

The clerics were abducted on September 12 along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura LGA of the state while travelling to Talata Mafara, after armed bandits intercepted their vehicles.