Six farmers freed in Nigeria’s Niger State
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
Nigerian security teams freed six farmers abducted in the Pandogari area of Niger State and recovered two AK-47 rifles. Operations against bandits continue in several rural areas hit by a rise in attacks, Leadership reports.
Six farmers abducted from their farms were freed during a joint operation around Pandogari, in the Rafi local government area, in Nigeria’s Niger State. The victims had been taken to Hanawanka forest and were found unharmed, according to the state police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, quoted by Leadership.
The six men were taken to Kagara Police Division for questioning and medical care before being reunited with their relatives. The abductions of farmers have increased in recent weeks in the local government areas of Mariga, Rijau, Mashegu, Borgu, Shiroro and Rafi, where bandits attack residents who refuse to pay in cash or agricultural produce.
In the Borgu area, an operation conducted by a police tactical team and members of a self-defence group also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines near the villages of Kaima and Gwando, on the border between Niger and Kwara states. Police said armed men were neutralised in an exchange of fire, while others fled into the forest.
