Panic spread through parts of Niger State on Tuesday after a group of 50 students fled into nearby bushland to escape an attack by suspected bandits, prompting an urgent response from security agencies, local officials said.
According to community sources, the students were on their way to school in the early hours when gunmen reportedly attempted to intercept them along a rural route in the Munya area of the state. Startled by the sight of armed men approaching, the students scattered and ran into surrounding fields and wooded areas to hide.
“The children took off in different directions as soon as they realized the road was no longer safe,” a local resident said, noting that parents and villagers immediately began combing the area after news of the incident spread.
State authorities confirmed that a search-and-rescue operation is under way, involving police personnel, local vigilante groups, and community volunteers. Niger State Police Command spokesperson said efforts were being coordinated to locate all the missing students and ensure their safe return.
“We have deployed tactical teams to the region, and our priority is to account for every child,” the spokesperson stated. “We urge residents to remain calm as we work with community leaders to gather accurate information.”
Incidents of banditry and kidnapping for ransom have affected several rural communities in Niger State in recent years, often targeting schools, travellers, and farming settlements. Although the frequency of mass school abductions has declined compared to previous years, authorities say isolated attempts continue to pose a threat to vulnerable communities.
As of press time, officials reported that several students had already been found unharmed, though efforts to locate the remaining children continued late into the evening.
The state government urged parents to cooperate with security agencies and assured them that measures were being strengthened to protect schools and transportation routes across the region.
