Bandits Demand N40m Ransom To Release 20 Abducted Children In Niger

Bandits are demanding a ransom of N40million to release 20 children who were abducted from Kusherki in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

Children Kidnapped In Niger

It was gathered that the victims, comprising four boys and 16 girls between ages 4 and 10 years old were abducted about three weeks ago and have been in captivity for over 20 days.

A resident of the community, Alhaji Auwal Usman, in an interview on Tuesday, said the bandits are now asking for N40m ransom before the release of the abductees who are being made to undergo difficult situations at the hands of their abductors.

Usman called for increased efforts by the Niger state government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the children are rescued unhurt.

“We are appealing to the Niger State government and security agencies to come to our assistance because parents of the kidnapped children are under serious pressure following the abduction of their children and wards,” he said.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs Emmanuel Bagna Umar, in his reaction, gave assurances of the state government’s commitment to rid the state of all forms of crimes.

He noted that the government is working tirelessly in conjunction with conventional and non-conventional forces to rescue the children and other victims of kidnapping throughout the state and ensure they come back to their loved ones alive and unharmed.

“The state government is doing everything within its power to ensure that these children are united with their families safely,” Umar said.

“Though the state is coming across some casualties in the process, in all, we are really winning the war against banditry. We applaud security agencies and vigilante groups in the state for their gallantry in the discharge of their duties.”

Meanwhile, Bandits have reportedly threatened to tax farmers before allowing them to harvest their crops in the Atabo and Magama local government areas of Niger State.