Niger Abduction: Bandits Demand ₦100m as Names, Photos of 15 Students Emerge

Niger Abduction: Bandits Demand ₦100m as Names, Photos of 15 Students Emerge

The abduction of 15 students in Niger State has taken a troubling turn following reports that armed bandits have contacted community leaders and demanded more than ₦100 million for their release.

Malam Aminu Bako, a teacher at the affected Islamiya school, disclosed this on Wednesday while releasing the names of the children still being held by their abductors.

Bako, whose students were kidnapped on his farm over the weekend, appealed to the Federal Government and Niger State authorities to urgently deploy security forces to secure their freedom.

He expressed concern over what he described as the limited response to the incident, noting that the affected families, school authorities and local vigilantes had largely been left to deal with the situation.

According to the teacher, the acting chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and the Divisional Police Officer were the only government and security officials who had visited the community since the abduction.

Information reportedly gathered by local vigilantes suggests that the kidnapped children remain somewhere within Niger State.

Bako further disclosed that the students were believed to be confined in an isolated building under the guard of heavily armed bandits.

“We heard that they are still within Niger State, locked in a building, probably without food. We are worried; we want the authorities to come to our aid to rescue them,” he said.

The teacher maintained that military intervention was urgently needed, warning that the children’s welfare could deteriorate if their rescue was delayed.

Names of the 15 Abducted Students

The students identified as being in captivity are:

1. Hassana Isah
2. Aliya Ahmad
3. Hajara Musa
4. Hauwa’u Abubakar
5. Halima Yahaya
6. Asma’u Jamilu
7. Radiya Salisu
8. Aminatu Salisu
9. Aisha Bello
10. Rahinatu Sani
11. Aminatu Alhassan
12. Nafisa Ayuba
13. Bilkisu Adamu
14. Salaha Abdullahi
15. Hajara Salisu

The reported ransom demand has heightened anxiety in the community, with families desperately hoping for the safe return of their children.

Meanwhile, the teacher’s appeal has renewed calls for urgent government intervention, as the community awaits decisive action from security agencies to rescue the abducted students.