Suspected bandits have abducted the village head of Patiko, Mallam Haruna Abubakar, in Zugurma District of Mashegu Local Government Area, Niger State.
According to a resident, Aliyu Usman, the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Friday, July 31, 2026, firing sporadically before surrounding the traditional ruler’s residence and taking him away.
Usman said the kidnappers later contacted the family on Saturday, demanding ₦80 million as ransom for the village head’s release.
He also disclosed that the gunmen attacked Fanga community, also in Mashegu Local Government Area, where they allegedly killed a farmer and abducted four other residents.
Describing the worsening security situation, Usman said Mashegu LGA has experienced a series of attacks over the past week, with several people kidnapped, many cattle rustled, and numerous residents forced to flee their homes.
“Mashegu Local Government has suffered a series of attacks in the last one week. Several people have been kidnapped, a large number of cattle have been rustled and many people have fled their homes,” he said.
He added that persistent insecurity has prevented many farmers from cultivating their farmlands during the current rainy season.
“It is through farming that we eat. Now, we have abandoned our farmlands; our livelihoods have been destroyed. We need urgent government intervention,” Usman appealed.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over recurring attacks by armed groups in parts of Niger State, where communities continue to face kidnappings, killings and cattle rustling.