Maburya Primary School Head Teacher Among Four Newly Abducted Victims in Recent Bandit Attack on Maburya Community

 

A report reaching Maburya Online News indicates that 4 more people were reportedly abducted by armed bandits in communities within the area this week, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation.

It will be recalled that we earlier reported the abduction of about 100 women and children in the affected communities. Although the majority of the victims were later released, six teenage girls reportedly remained in captivity. 

The girls were allegedly being forced by the bandits to serve as livestock shepherds and have reportedly been in captivity for about ten days.

According to the latest report, residents have expressed concern over what they described as misleading information allegedly being circulated by some politicians in the area, claiming that the bandits had been chased away or that some of them had been arrested.

The residents fear that such claims could give the federal and state governments the impression that the security situation has been brought under control, potentially affecting efforts to rescue those still in captivity and curb the activities of the armed groups operating in the area.

They therefore appealed to members of the public to exercise caution and verify such claims, stressing that political interests should not be allowed to overshadow the urgent security needs of the affected communities.

The residents also called on the government to, as a matter of urgency, intensify efforts to rescue the six teenage girls previously abducted, as well as the 4 people reportedly abducted this week.

One of the residents alleged that the circulation of inaccurate information about the situation may have contributed to further attacks and abductions, as the bandits could be attempting to demonstrate that they remain active in the communities.

It was also reported that the bandits left the community at about 9:00 p.m. yesterday, allowing residents to return to their respective homes after spending nearly two weeks hiding on hilltops for safety.

According to a resident, the bandits had been operating in the area for the past two weeks, causing fear and forcing many residents to abandon their homes.

The residents also alleged that in some of the photographs circulating online purporting to show arrested bandits, the faces of the suspects were deliberately concealed, which they claimed could make it difficult for the public to verify the authenticity of the reports.

Communities including Maburya, Ragada, Kumbashi,Shadadi, Kakihum, Kwimo, Dusai and Gulbin Boka have reportedly faced repeated attacks by armed bandits for more than three years now.

Residents said the attacks occasionally subside but later resurface, which they attributed to what they described as the absence of sustained and concrete measures to address the security situation and prevent further attacks. 

The resident stressed that accurate information is essential to enable the government to take appropriate measures to protect the communities and rescue those still in captivity.

The resident appealed to the Niger State Governor to conduct an independent investigation into the actual security situation in the affected communities, including obtaining information directly from residents and relevant security agencies, rather than relying solely on reports from politicians.

Below are the alleged names of the six girls previously abducted and the 4 people reportedly abducted this week. 

Newly abducted victims:

1. Muhammad Musa Gulbi 

(Head Teacher, Maburya primary school)

2. Mai Anguwa Babe Shabiri

3. Musa Agyare

4. Isiya Muntari

Girls Abducted 10 days ago:

1. Rafia S.Aski

2. Nana Sabo

3. Shafaatu Danbai

4. Sadika Musa

5. Mas'uda Mashakur

6. Sadia Labaran