Exactly one week after over 300 students were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, another deadly attack has hit the state. Bandits invaded Palaita community in Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area, abducting 24 people, including a pregnant woman. They also chopped off the hand of a blind man in a separate attack.
However, the Niger State Police Command said only 10 people were abducted.
The violence did not stop in Niger State. In Abuja, bandits raided a community and kidnapped six girls and a 16-year-old boy, adding to growing fears about insecurity across the country.
The security situation worsened as the Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, announced the death of Venerable Edwin Achi, Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, who was abducted with his family in October. His death forced the cancellation of the planned Stand Up for Jesus 2025 event.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, said the military is “inches away” from crushing banditry despite the recent rise in school abductions.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also disclosed that 11,566 police personnel withdrawn from VIP duties have now been redeployed to under-served communities to boost security presence.
In Abuja, Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan urged the Federal Government to focus on properly equipping existing security officers instead of recruiting 20,000 more policemen.
How the Niger Attack Happened
Residents said the Palaita attackers struck around 2:00pm on Wednesday while villagers were harvesting rice. Palaita lies less than five kilometres from a military base in Erena, yet the attackers escaped before security forces arrived.
A community source said the bandits rode straight to the farm, started shooting, rounded up the victims and forced them onto motorcycles. “They came with a mission to take away the farmers,” the source said. As of Thursday, families had received no communication from the abductors.
In Kakuru community, also in Erena Ward, another group of bandits chopped off the right hand of a blind man after accusing him of not cooperating. The attackers reportedly came to seize the mobile phone he was holding. When he explained that the phone did not belong to him, one of them ordered that his hand be cut off. He later received first aid but his current condition remains unclear.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the attacks but insisted that only 10 people were taken from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa communities.
Abuja Community Hit Again
In Abuja, bandits invaded Gidan-Bijimi, a small settlement in Kawu Ward, Bwari Area Council, around 9:47pm on Wednesday. They kidnapped six young girls aged between 17 and 23, along with a teenage boy.
The attackers fired several shots into the air, forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes. Members of the local vigilante group tried to confront the bandits but retreated due to inferior firepower. As of Thursday morning, there had been no contact from the kidnappers.
The raid happened just a week after gunmen attacked Guto community in Bwari, killing a police officer and attempting to kidnap a family.
Following rising insecurity in FCT border communities, the Federal Capital Territory Administration announced new security measures. The FCT Commissioner of Police said Operation Sweep, a multi-agency security team, had been fully activated with improved logistics.
Death of Anglican Priest Deepens Tension
The Diocese of Kaduna confirmed that Venerable Edwin Achi, who was kidnapped on October 28 along with his wife and daughter, had died in captivity. The kidnappers earlier demanded N600 million ransom.
The Diocese described his death as a “painful loss,” saying his ministry touched many lives. His wife and daughter remain in captivity. The church cancelled the Stand Up for Jesus 2025 programme in his honour.
Government Says End of Banditry Is Near
Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru said the armed forces are closing in on criminal groups, but the fight has been difficult because bandits operate in forests and communities where civilians could be harmed during airstrikes.
He said the government is investigating recent abductions, especially allegations that security officers left a school in Kebbi State minutes before an attack.
Push for Better Policing
IGP Egbetokun said the redeployment of 11,566 police officers from VIP duties will strengthen security in rural areas. Cardinal Onaiyekan insisted that properly equipping existing security personnel is more important than recruiting new officers.
He urged Christians and Muslims to unite against insecurity, saying the country cannot afford further delays.
