Bandits have abducted twenty farmers, including four pregnant women and several children, in Unguwan-Kawo, Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Naijaonpoint gathered from a Daily Trust report that the farmers were abducted from their farms around 4 pm on Wednesday, 26th November, while they were harvesting rice.

The incident was also confirmed by the Niger State Police Command PRO, Wasiu Abiodun, who put the number of victims at 10, not 20.

The worrying development comes just six days after over 200 students and staff were kidnapped in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of the same state.

The fresh development comes hours after President Bola Tinubu ordered a full-scale security cordon on forests in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States following renewed cases of kidnappings and terrorist incursions in the region.

The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement posted on 𝕏 by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

According to Dare, the President has mandated the Nigerian Air Force to intensify aerial monitoring across the deepest parts of Kwara’s forests, believed to be hideouts for terror groups.

Dare said, “President Tinubu has ordered a total security cordon over the forests in Kwara State following recent kidnappings and terrorist activities.

“He directed the Air Force to expand its air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests in Kwara State, where it is believed the terrorists are hiding. They are to maintain a 24-hour surveillance and link up with the boots on the ground.”

Dare added that the directive also covers regions bordering Kebbi and Niger states, where several kidnap victims are still expected to be rescued.

The presidential aide appealed to residents in affected communities to support security operations by promptly reporting suspicious movements.