After one week in captivity, bandits have established contact with the families of the abducted farmers from Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, demanding ₦94 million for their release.

The Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Bagga Muhamadu, who disclosed the latest development, said the kidnappers had contacted relatives of some of the victims, and they are demanding ₦2 million for each of the victims.

The victims, who were mostly women, were reportedly abducted from farms around Tungan Rimi in Ma’undu-Beri Ward of the council area on 26th September while harvesting groundnut.

They were engaged by a farmer under “harvest and get your share” arrangements when the incident occurred.

The chairman also disclosed that information reaching the council indicates that one of the abducted women had given birth while in captivity.

He said security personnel, supported by local vigilantes, had been mobilised to rescue the victims.

However, the Niger State Police Command gave a lower preliminary figure, saying only 20 people were abducted at Mukura village, Kasuwan-Garba district, on September 26, 2026, and that joint security rescue efforts were ongoing.

However, no member of the victims’ families could be reached for their reaction at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, since the incident occurred a week ago, there has not been any official statement from the state government. (The Sun)