Three persons have been killed while two rice farmers were kidnapped by bandits in the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attack took place around 9:am  on Sunday, October 20, 2024, between Bangi and Kotonkoro.

The gunmen, blocked the road, shooting at vehicles travelling along the route.

Among the victims were the driver of a car, a young girl, and a passenger identified as Alhaji Ibrahim.

It was gathered that the victims were travelling to the market when the attack occurred.

Shehu Kotonkoro, the owner of the vehicle confirmed the incident, expressing his concern about the lack of security in the area. He noted that the attack happened just 5 kilometres from Kotonkoro.

In addition to the killings, two rice farmers harvesting on their farm about two kilometres from the town were abducted by the bandits.

The bandits also attacked another vehicle carrying bread during the assault.

The Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Musa Kasuwa-Garba, confirmed the attack on Monday and sympathised with the victims’ families.

He highlighted the persistent insecurity in the area due to the proximity to Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, where bandits frequently strike before retreating to their camps.

Meanwhile, bandits have also imposed a levy of 11 million on villages in Mariga LGA before allowing them to harvest their crops.

The bandits also demanded ransom, motorcycles, food and mobile phones in exchange for some victims kidnapped earlier in communities in the LGA.