63 abducted in latest bandit attack in Nigeria

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Numerous people were abducted by armed gunmen in central Nigeria, police confirmed on Tuesday

While Wasiu Abiodun, a police spokesman, declined to confirm to Anadolu Agency the number of people abducted across three communities in the West African country's state of Niger, a security source revealed that the number was 63.

The incident occurred late on Monday in the Pandogari area of the northeastern part of the state, a few kilometers away from a security camp.

Most of the people, 41, were kidnapped from the village of Durmin, while 14 were taken from Jarmiya village and eight from Pandogari.

Abiodun said security personnel had rescued about 13 people from the hideout of the gunmen, known locally as bandits, who then staged a reprisal by abducting dozens of others.

Authorities have since stepped up efforts to find the bandits, he added, with security forces immediately mobilizing tactical teams to the scene.

A community leader in Durmin village, Adamu Dangana, told Anadolu Agency that the motorcycle-riding bandits came in large numbers and abducted local residents.

Dangana said they carried weapons, including AK-47 rifles, and threatened to shoot anyone who did not follow their orders. He said "I managed to hide myself among the goats to avoid being kidnapped," he said.