One week after, 47 Niger farmers still in bandits’ den

• Kidnappers demand N94m ransom

From John Adams, Minna

One week after bandits swooped on groundnut farms in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State and abducted dozens of farmers, 47 of the victims are still believed to be in captivity, with their abductors demanding a total ransom of N94 million for their release.

Among those spending their seventh day in the bandits’ den is a woman who reportedly gave birth while in captivity, further worsening the ordeal of the predominantly female group as security agencies and local vigilance groups intensify efforts to secure their freedom.

Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Bagga Muhamadu, said the kidnappers had established contact with relatives of some of the victims and demanded N2 million for the release of each abductee.

The victims, mostly women, were harvesting groundnuts around Tungan Rimi in Ma’undu-Beri Ward when the gunmen raided the farms, rounded them up and marched them into the bush.

The farmers were said to have been engaged by a farmer under a local “harvest and get your share” arrangement, whereby labourers receive a portion of the farm produce as payment for helping with the harvest.

What began as another day of working to earn a share of the groundnut harvest consequently turned into a week-long nightmare for the farmers and their families.

Muhamadu said information available to the council indicated that one of the abducted women had delivered a baby while being held by the bandits.

He said security personnel, supported by local vigilantes, had been mobilised and were making efforts to locate the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

There is, however, a discrepancy over the actual number of people abducted.

While the council chairman put the number at 47, the Niger State Police Command gave a lower preliminary figure, saying more than 20 people were abducted at Mukura village in Kasuwan-Garba District of Mariga Local Government Area.

The command said joint security operations aimed at rescuing the victims were ongoing.

No member of the victims’ families could be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, one week after the mass abduction, the Niger State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.