Numerous farmers have been kidnaped by suspected bandits in separate incidents in Niger State's Mariga Local Government Area. According to the local government chairman, there have been 47 victims, and the abductors are demanding ?2 million for each victim.

According to reports, the victims were kidnaped at Tungan Rimi in Ma'undu-Beri Ward of Mariga Local Government Area while they were gathering groundnuts.

According to reports, the attack happened on Saturday afternoon, and some men who were employed on neighboring farms were also taken by the assailants.

In a phone interview, Alhaji Aliyu Bagga Muhamadu, the Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, confirmed the incident and stated that one of the kidnaped women had given birth while being held captive.

He claims that the kidnappers have reached out to some relatives and are requesting ?2 million in ransom for each victim before releasing them.

The chairman of the council further stated that local vigilantes and security personnel had been called in to help save the victims.

He claimed that after traveling through Kasuwan Garba and Biri, where a vigilante was hurt, the joint security team had confronted the alleged bandits near Alibani village.

The armed men were allegedly seen leaving the Dogon Dawa axis and traveling through areas between Mangoro and Wamba, according to additional sources.

Additionally, it was reported that the attackers had relocated to the Bariki Forest, also called Ma'undu, where the kidnaped individuals are allegedly being held.

Source