16 abducted Niger farmers regain freedom

Security Operatives have reportedly rescued the 16 farmers kidnapped at Dan-Gunu Community of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

Daily Trust reported how gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the community last Wednesday and kidnapped the victims, including pregnant women and children.

The Chairman, Munya LGA, Abdulhamid Najume, told our correspondent on the telephone about the rescue on Saturday.

“We had an emergency security meeting after which we mobilised security operatives and dispersed them to go after the bandits. Luckily, they were able to rescue all the kidnapped victims. Currently, they are receiving medical care at a hospital facility after which they will be reunited with their families,” he said.

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On the issue of primary schools closed due to insecurity in the area, Najume said some schools had already been reopened to allow children who have been at home for years to go back to the classroom.

“We have reopened some of the schools. We are renovating some of them because they need to be fixed to make them conducive for teaching and learning.

“We have also distributed teaching materials such as chalk and learning materials such as exercise books and other necessary things that we have identified if we don’t support parents because of the economic situation, it would hinder the smooth return of pupils.

“These children have over stayed at home and we are doing everything possible to see them back to school and we won’t relent,” he said.