Bandits demand over ₦100 million for abducted Niger Islamiyya students, teacher says
The kidnappers of a group of Islamiyya students abducted in Niger State have demanded more than ₦100 million for their release, according to their teacher.
What the teacher said
Malam Aminu Bako, whose students were taken while helping him harvest maize on his farm in Rafi Local Government Area, said on Thursday, 5 November 2026, that the bandits had contacted village leaders with the ransom demand. He said 15 children were abducted, and called for urgent military action to rescue them. According to him, only the acting chairman of the local government and the divisional police officer had visited since the abduction, and families were relying on local vigilantes to track the kidnappers.
Where the children may be
Bako said information gathered by vigilantes suggests the children are still in Niger State, held in an isolated building guarded by heavily armed men, possibly without enough food. He said he was under intense pressure from worried parents.
Background
The students were abducted on 31 October from a farm in Tungan-Bako village near Pandogari. Police at the time said 14 students were taken and that a joint security operation had been launched. Rafi and surrounding areas have suffered repeated attacks by armed groups, and kidnapping for ransom remains widespread in north-west and north-central Nigeria. Paying ransom is illegal in Nigeria, although families often feel they have no choice.
What happens next
Families and community leaders are calling on the federal and state governments to step up efforts to rescue the children.
- The kidnappers reportedly want over ₦100 million.
- The teacher says 15 children were taken.
- He is calling for military action.
