Police rescue six abducted farmers in Niger, foil attacks across six states
The police have rescued six farmers abducted by armed bandits in Mahangi village, near Pandogari, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The victims were rescued on October 29, 2026, during a joint security operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services, DSS, special hunters and local vigilantes.
The Niger State Police Command said security operatives tracked the suspected bandits to their hideout following the abduction of the farmers while working on their farms.
The rescued victims were taken to the police division for profiling before being reunited with their families while the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna, commenced an investigation into the incident.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the operation was among several security successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force across six states within 48 hours.
In Zamfara State, he stated that police tactical teams, working with local vigilantes, rescued five elderly women abducted during an attack on a farm in Dansadau, Maru Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred on October 29, reportedly left a 35-year-old farmer dead, while the women were abducted as they harvested beans.
The police said security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee.
The five women were rescued unhurt, while bush-combing and tracking operations were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
In Kebbi State, joint security forces repelled an attack by suspected Lakurawa fighters on Ribah town in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area on October 30.
The attackers reportedly regrouped and launched an assault from different directions after security operatives foiled an earlier attempt to block Rambo Junction.
The security forces engaged the attackers and successfully repelled the assault.
The State Criminal Investigation Department, Birnin Kebbi, is investigating the incident.
Similarly, police operatives foiled an attempted bandit attack on Karofi Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack occurred at about 11:27 p.m. on October 29, following which police tactical teams responded to a distress call and engaged the suspected bandits in a gun duel.
The statement disclosed that the attackers reportedly retreated into the bush, with no casualties recorded among civilians or security personnel, adding that joint patrols and bush-combing operations were subsequently intensified in the area.
Meanwhile, police operatives in Kano State arrested five persons suspected of harbouring criminals and recovered 48 cows, 43 sheep and two motorcycles during an operation targeting suspected associates of kidnappers.
The operation followed investigations into the abduction of Alhaji Abdu Fanka, the All Progressives Congress, APC, chairman in Rogo Local Government Area.
Although the principal suspects reportedly escaped after raising an alarm, the Force PRO said five persons were arrested during a raid on a residence linked to them.
The recovered livestock and motorcycles were taken into police custody, while the SCID, Bompai, is investigating the case.
In Lagos State, Iniedu explained that police arrested a 28-year-old suspected cultist in connection with an armed robbery that led to the death of a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator at Desa Bus Stop, Ibeju-Lekki.
The suspect, identified as Ojo/Ojomu Bolanle, popularly known as Burna, was alleged to be a member of the Aiye confraternity.
Police said the suspect was arrested on October 31 after operatives responded to the robbery incident.
He further revealed, "the victim, Ibrahim Adewale Moronfade, sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and later died.
"A search conducted by the police led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, an expended cartridge and charms."
A stolen handbag and other property were also recovered, while the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, is investigating the case.
Police rescue six abducted farmers in Niger, foil attacks across six states