Gunmen abduct 87 farmers and women in Niger and Zamfara states

September 29, 2026 at 10:17 AM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Armed gangs abducted at least 87 people, mostly women, in separate attacks in Niger and Zamfara states over the weekend. Police in Abia state found 28 human skulls and bones at suspected gang camps. The kidnappings come months before Nigeria's January presidential elections.

Key Facts

At least 47 farmers were abducted while harvesting peanuts in Mariga area, Niger State, on Saturday.
40 women were kidnapped in Yargada, Zamfara State, on Sunday.
Police in Abia State found 28 human skulls and bones at suspected gang camps in forests.
Armed groups raised 7.8 billion naira (nearly $6m) in ransom payments between July 2025 and June 2026, according to SBM Intelligence.

Weekend Abductions

At least 47 farmers were abducted by armed men while harvesting peanuts in the Mariga area of Niger State on Saturday. 40 women were kidnapped in Yargada, Zamfara State, on Sunday. The kidnappings were reported by AFP, citing two security reports and a local source.

Police Discovery in Abia

Police in Abia State announced on Sunday that they found 28 human skulls and bones suspected to be of kidnapped victims. The remains were discovered after raiding camps linked to criminal groups in the forests. Suspects at the scene had fled, and police said efforts are intensified to apprehend them.

Ransom Economy and Security Crisis

Armed groups raised 7.8 billion naira (nearly $6m) in ransom payments between July 2025 and June 2026, according to SBM Intelligence. This is more than triple the 2.6 billion naira paid during the same period last year. In August, gunmen abducted as many as 600 worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in Dekera village, Niger State. Residents of Niger State protested last Monday over the abduction of hundreds of people who remained in captivity a month after gunmen attacked several communities.