The Chairman of Munya Local Government, Niger State, Mallam Aminu Najume, has confirmed the abduction of his Council Secretary, Mr. Daina Usman, in a Thursday night attack by bandits at his residence in Sarkin Pawa, the local government headquarters.
Najume, speaking to reporters on Friday, revealed that Usman was kidnapped alongside his wife and three other family members around 10:30 p.m. However, the Secretary managed to escape midway through the journey, while his wife and relatives remain in captivity.
As at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, no contact had been made with the victims or their abductors.
The Chairman expressed frustration over the military’s lack of response, stating that Usman’s residence is just 500 meters from a military base. Despite heavy gunfire during the attack, security forces failed to intervene.
“It is shocking and disappointing that such an attack happened so close to a military post, yet there was no response. Residents heard the gunshots, but the soldiers did nothing,” Najume lamented.
He recalled raising similar concerns in the past about security personnel failing to act during attacks in the area.
Najume attributed the resurgence of banditry in Munya to a peace deal between the Kaduna State government and armed groups, which has pushed criminals into Niger communities.
He noted that Munya shares a border with Chikun Local Government in Kaduna, from where the bandits infiltrate to wreak havoc.
He also recalled the mass abduction of over 150 people from Kuchi community in August 2024, where ₦30 million and six motorcycles were reportedly paid as ransom for their release after two months in captivity.
The latest attack has heightened fear among residents of Sarkin Pawa, who worry that the relative peace they had been enjoying may now be over.