Niger: Bandits abduct 20 passengers on Maiga-Kontagora road

About 20 passengers traveling in five vehicles were abducted by bandits on Thursday along the Maiga-Kontagora road in Niger State. The incident was confirmed by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who represents Mariga Constituency. He reported that the bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri.

Sarkin-Daji’s comments were in response to a recent military statement denying bandit activity within the Kontagora military training grounds, which also stretch into Mariga LGA. According to him, families of past kidnapping victims have repeatedly taken ransom payments to a forested area believed to be part of the military grounds, with released victims describing their detention near the Kontagora Army Barracks.

“The passengers kidnapped on Thursday were also reportedly taken to the same forest,” Sarkin-Daji said, urging the military to verify constituent reports and clear bandits from the area.

He emphasized that lawmakers often receive feedback from constituents, which they investigate thoroughly before presenting in the Assembly. Sarkin-Daji urged the federal government and relevant authorities to address these issues, as locals allege that the military training ground has become a refuge for bandits.

He highlighted that the military dismissed a House member’s statements about the situation on Wednesday. However, just a day later, bandits blocked the road and kidnapped over 20 passengers. The Speaker called for immediate action to protect the people and pledged that the Assembly would continue raising awareness so the federal government and stakeholders address the urgent security challenges facing local communities.