Bandits have kidnapped 24 people, including pregnant women, from a rice farm in Palaita community, Erena Ward, Shiroro LGA of Niger State.

The attackers struck while residents were harvesting crops and escaped before security forces could respond, despite the area being close to a military base.

Earlier, another group of armed men attacked the Kakuru community in the same ward, assaulting a blind man and cutting off his right hand after taking a mobile phone from him.

He told them the phone belonged to a neighbour, but the attackers still amputated his hand. He is receiving first aid in Kuduru community.

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Niger State Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incidents, saying efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted residents.

The attacks come shortly after more than 300 students and teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, worsening security concerns in northern Nigeria.

Source: Channels