Bandits Holding 20 Captives On Your Training Ground – Niger Assembly Tell Military

At least 20 passengers travelling in five vehicles were reportedly kidnapped on the Mariga-Kontagora road in Niger State on Thursday.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, confirmed the incident, stating that the kidnapping occurred between Baban-Lamba and Beri.

Sarkin-Daji, who represents Mariga Constituency, expressed concern over recurring abductions along this route and called on the military to intervene urgently.

The incident follows previous kidnappings in the area, where family members have reportedly delivered ransom payments to release victims, indicating that kidnappers operate within the vicinity of a military training area.

The Speaker noted that released hostages confirmed being held in a forested area near the Kontagora Army Barracks. He urged the military to assess intelligence and swiftly clear the area of bandit presence to prevent further attacks on travellers.

He said, “As members representing our people, we get feedback from our constituents of their plights. So, before we present anything on the floor of the House, we have done our investigation very well.

“It is not as if we are underrating the military capacity to fight bandits and terrorists but it is not right to just dismiss the complaints of our people. We want the federal government and concerned authorities to know their plights.

“The communities said the military training ground had become a safe haven for bandits who always come out of that forest to attack them, kidnap people and take them to the same Forest. Even the kidnapped victims that were released after the payment of ransom said they were taken to the same bush and they could sight the Kontagora Army Barrack from where they were kept by the bandits.

“What we expect from the military was to seek more information about what victims have told us and flush the bandits out. But you cannot just come out to refute what a member of House of Assembly had said.

“Let me tell you, as military refuted what one of our members said Wednesday, on Thursday, October 31, bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri and kidnapped all Passengers in 5 vehicles. More than 20 passengers were kidnapped and taken to the same forest. From Kontagora to Beri is a vast land belonging to Army Barracks Kontagora.

“So, refuting the complaint of people is not right. The military should do the needful and flush out these criminals. The military is made to protect the people. So, we will continue to speak out to let the federal government and all stakeholders know the plight of our people.”