Bandits abduct Commissioner, 7 NSIEC staff in Niger

By Baba Alfa, Minna

The grave insecurity situation in Niger State escalated on Monday morning when a Commissioner and seven workers of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) were abducted by suspected bandits.

The attack occurred close to the National Park along the Zugurma to New Bussa road in the Mashegu Local Government Area.

The victims, who were reportedly returning from Borgu, include NSIEC Commissioner Ahmed Mohammed, popularly known as Barrister Ahmed Lawyer, along with his driver and former SUBEB Chairman, Mohammed Bawa Niworu.

Passersby later spotted their abandoned vehicles parked by the roadside, with the victims’ mobile phones left inside.

NewsDirect gathered that the heavily armed men blocked the road just ahead of a police checkpoint.

A daily commuter later informed reporters that the passengers from three Sharon vehicles were abducted and taken to an unknown destination during the incident.

The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that a police tactical team quickly engaged and repelled the hoodlums, though one police patrol vehicle sustained damage from gunshots.

A policeman was injured during the exchange and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Abiodun confirmed the abduction of passengers from three vehicles along the road and noted that the command has mobilized more tactical teams, along with other security agencies and local vigilantes, to trail the kidnappers with the aim of rescuing the victims and arresting the suspects.

The brazen attack comes amidst Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s recent calls for foreign investment into Niger State. However, the persistent failure to secure the state from incessant banditry and insecurity threatens to undermine these economic efforts, raising urgent questions about the government’s capacity to protect its citizens and infrastructure.