More Than 100 Women and Children Abducted by Bandits in Maburya Community, Niger State

 

More than 100 women and children have reportedly been abducted by armed bandits in Maburya community, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to an eyewitness and resident of the community, the bandits invaded the area after tracing residents to their usual hiding places on top of a hill in the village. The attackers were reportedly searching for men in the community, but when they could not find them, they turned their attention to the women and children.

The resident explained that although the majority of the abducted women were subsequently released, the bandits reportedly took six teenage girls with them to their hideout in neighbouring Zamfara State. The girls, according to the source, were allegedly taken to serve as shepherds for the bandits' livestock.

The resident appealed to the Niger State and Federal Governments to urgently intervene and secure the release of the six girls, who have reportedly remained in captivity.

Bandits reportedly behead resident and send head to district head

The latest incident comes amid reports of continued attacks and intimidation across several communities in the Mariga Local Government area.

Within the same week, armed bandits reportedly beheaded a resident of a village around Shadadi.

According to the report, the attackers removed the victim's head and allegedly sent it to the District Head of Bangi, accompanied by a warning that villages in the area would face similar treatment if they refused to cooperate with the bandits.

Residents say communities including Maburya, Kumbashi, Kakihum, Ragada, Shadadi and Gulbin Boka have been subjected to persistent attacks, abductions and intimidation by armed bandits for a prolonged period.

They expressed frustration over what they described as inadequate and delayed intervention by both the state and federal authorities.

One resident claimed that, on some occasions, assistance has come from neighbouring Kebbi State, particularly when communities sharing boundaries with Kebbi are attacked. According to the resident, the Kebbi State Government has previously deployed military personnel to support affected communities.

Residents demand urgent government intervention

The residents are therefore calling on the Niger State Government and the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security operations in the affected communities, rescue the six teenage girls reportedly being held by the bandits, and prevent further abductions and killings.

The situation is particularly concerning because the affected communities are in Mariga Local Government Area, an area from which the current Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly hails.

Residents say they should not have to continue living in fear and hiding in the hills whenever armed groups invade their communities.

They are appealing for sustained military and security presence, rather than temporary intervention after attacks have already occurred.

The residents' central message is clear: they want urgent action before more lives are lost and more women and children are taken into captivity.