More than 30 people, including a commissioner in the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) and a former chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, were abducted by bandits on Monday evening.
The victims, who were travelling in two Sharon commercial vehicles, were attacked near the Ibbi National Park along the Zugurma–Ibbi road while heading to New Bussa, headquarters of Borgu Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, numbering over 100, blocked the highway, fired shots into the air, and overpowered police personnel stationed at the park’s entrance before whisking the victims into the forest. Farmers later discovered the abandoned vehicles and raised an alarm.
Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers had first destroyed two police patrol vehicles. He noted that tactical teams, alongside other security agencies and vigilante groups, were trailing the bandits to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators.
