Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Armed bandits on Friday night reportedly attacked the residence of Abubakar Gari in Dukku town, a rural community located in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State, killing him and abducting his wives in a violent assault that has further intensified security fears across parts of northwestern Nigeria. Residents said the attackers stormed the home under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically to scare neighbours before forcing entry into the compound.
Witnesses indicated that the assailants targeted the household specifically, suggesting prior knowledge of the victim’s residence. During the attack, Abubakar Gari was killed inside the compound after attempts to resist the armed intruders, according to local accounts shared with community leaders. The body of the deceased was later prepared for Islamic burial rites, which were conducted on Saturday in accordance with Muslim funeral traditions practiced in the area.
Following the burial, sources said the kidnappers established contact with the family and demanded a ransom of fifty million naira for the release of the abducted wives. The communication reportedly came through a mobile phone number believed to be linked to the criminal group responsible for the attack. Security officials have not yet confirmed whether negotiations are ongoing, but families of the victims are said to be under significant emotional and financial pressure.
The abductors’ decision to leave behind the victim’s infant child has generated widespread concern within the community. Residents believe the action was deliberate, aimed at increasing psychological pressure on the family by exploiting maternal attachment and the child’s dependency on breastfeeding. Community members described the development as particularly distressing, noting that the infant is currently without the primary caregiver.
Security analysts say such tactics are increasingly being observed in kidnapping operations across parts of northern Nigeria. Criminal groups often employ emotional coercion strategies in addition to financial ransom demands, believing that families may be more likely to mobilize funds quickly when children or vulnerable relatives are involved.
Local sources reported that the attack occurred in an area with limited security presence at the time of the incident. The region around Rijau LGA has in recent years experienced periodic bandit incursions linked to armed criminal networks operating across forested territories that stretch into neighbouring states. These geographical conditions are widely believed to provide concealment advantages for militant groups carrying out raids on isolated settlements.
The incident has reignited longstanding concerns about rural insecurity within parts of the northwest. Communities in areas bordering the forests of northern Nigeria have repeatedly complained about insufficient security patrols, delayed emergency response times, and limited intelligence gathering capacity in remote villages. Farmers and traders in such regions often face heightened vulnerability due to the long distances separating their homes from major administrative and security centres.
Members of the local community expressed grief over the killing of Abubakar Gari, describing him as a peaceful resident who was not known to be involved in any conflict. Traditional leaders in the town urged security agencies to intensify search operations to rescue the abducted women safely and to prevent further attacks. Some residents also called on the government to deploy additional security personnel to patrol vulnerable routes connecting villages around Rijau.
The administration of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has previously pledged to strengthen counterbanditry operations across Niger State through cooperation with federal security agencies. Officials within the state security architecture have emphasized intelligence-driven deployment strategies aimed at disrupting criminal hideouts located within forested terrain.
Authorities have not released an official statement confirming whether security forces are tracking the abductors or attempting rescue operations. However, security sources indicated that surveillance activities are being intensified around suspected movement corridors used by criminal groups operating in the region.
The ransom demand of ₦50 million highlights the economic dimension of kidnapping operations in several parts of Nigeria, where abduction for financial gain has become a major criminal enterprise. Security experts argue that ransom payments, when made, may inadvertently encourage further criminal activities by providing financial incentives to armed groups. Government policy discussions have therefore increasingly emphasized the importance of rescue operations and prosecution of perpetrators rather than compliance with ransom demands.
Human rights advocates have also raised concerns about the psychological trauma experienced by families affected by kidnapping incidents. The abduction of married women, combined with the killing of the household head, is seen as a strategy that destabilizes family structures and creates long-term emotional and social distress within affected communities.
Public health observers in the region have additionally warned that such violent disruptions can have indirect consequences on healthcare access and child welfare. The infant left behind in the compound is currently being cared for by relatives, but community members expressed concern about the child’s nutritional needs and overall wellbeing in the absence of the mother.
The Nigeria security establishment continues to conduct operations aimed at weakening bandit networks across northwestern states. The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army have carried out periodic patrols and intelligence raids targeting suspected criminal camps. Despite these efforts, attacks in remote villages persist, reflecting the adaptive strategies of armed groups exploiting difficult terrain and communication gaps.
Local leaders in Dukku town urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security authorities. They also appealed for expanded community policing initiatives that could help bridge the surveillance gap in rural districts. Many villagers expressed fear that the attack might signal the presence of criminal cells operating closer to populated settlements than previously believed.
As search efforts continue, the families of the abducted women remain hopeful for their safe return. The incident stands as another reminder of the security challenges confronting rural communities across northern Nigeria, where violence, kidnapping, and intimidation continue to threaten civilian life despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations.
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