SECURITY OPERATIVES LAUNCH RESCUE OPERATION FOR 47 ABDUCTED FARMERS IN NIGER
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Security operatives comprising personnel of the Nigerian military and the Nigeria Police Force have launched a rescue operation for more than 47 farmers abducted by suspected bandits in Niger State.
The joint team is currently combing the forest around Mukura village in the Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga Local Government Area, according to the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun.
Abiodun said the police received reports that suspected bandits abducted more than 20 people at Mukura village on September 27 while the victims were on their farms.
However, sources in the area told PUNCH that the number of victims was more than 47. Most of those abducted were women, while a few men were also among the victims.
The Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Muhamadu, confirmed the incident and said the victims were abducted while harvesting groundnuts at Tungan Rimi in Ma’undu-Beri Ward.
According to Muhamadu, one of the abducted women reportedly gave birth while in captivity.
He added that the abductors had contacted some relatives of the victims and demanded N2 million for the release of each person.
The council chairman further disclosed that security personnel and local vigilantes had been mobilised to locate and rescue the victims.
He said the joint security team and vigilantes engaged the suspected bandits in a gun battle at Alibani village after passing through Kasuwan-Garba and Biri, during which a vigilante sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, a source in Mariga Local Government Area said armed men were sighted moving between Mangoro and Wamba after emerging from the Dogon Dawa axis.
The source said the suspected bandits subsequently moved into the Bariki Forest, also known as Ma’undu, where the abducted farmers are believed to be held.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to locate the victims and secure their release.
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