Suspected bandits abducted 20 passengers along the link road between the Mariga and Kontagora local government areas of Niger State.
The passengers were travelling along the road when bandits, who had mounted a blockade, forced them into a nearby forest.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who represents Mariga Constituency, confirmed the abduction on Thursday. His comments followed the military’s denial of bandit operations within military training grounds that span both Kontagora and Mariga LGAs.
He told reporters the incident took place on Thursday when bandits blocked the Mariga-Kontagora road between Baban-Lamba and Beri.
The Speaker added that families of previously kidnapped victims had repeatedly taken ransom payments into a forested area, reportedly near military training grounds. Victims have told their families that they were held near the Kontagora Army Barracks.
Sarkin-Daji urged the military to act on accurate information and remove the bandits from the area, saying, “The passengers kidnapped on Thursday on the Mariga-Kontagora road were also taken to the same forest.”
The Speaker emphasised that, as representatives of the people, legislators often receive direct feedback from constituents about their hardships, and they thoroughly investigate these issues before bringing them before the Assembly.
While acknowledging the military’s capacity to combat banditry, he warned against dismissing constituents’ complaints.
He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to address these concerns, highlighting that local communities allege the military training grounds have become a haven for bandits.
“Even those released after ransom payments have stated that they were held within sight of the Kontagora Army Barracks,” Sarkin-Daji added.
“The military should verify information from the victims and address the issue, rather than dismissing statements made by House members.”
Despite the military’s previous dismissal of one Assembly member’s statements, bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri on Thursday, October 31, abducting over 20 passengers and relocating them to the same forest, he said.
The Speaker called on the military to clear the criminals from the area and reaffirmed that the legislature would continue raising awareness to ensure the federal government and all stakeholders understand the plight of the people.
Punch
