Niger abduction: police say 14 pupils taken from maize farm, not 50 as first reported

Gunmen have abducted pupils of an Islamiyya school in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, but accounts of how many children were taken have differed.

Early reports put the number at about 50. The Niger State Police Command, confirming the attack on Monday, said the correct figure was 14 pupils. Some other reports have given a slightly different count.

According to police, the children were harvesting maize with their teacher at Tungan-Bako village, near Pandogari, at about 12.30pm on Saturday, 31 October, when suspected bandits struck. The teacher was reportedly taken along with them.

Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said a joint team of security agencies had started an operation to find and free the victims.

Rafi and nearby areas have suffered repeated kidnappings. A spokesman for the SDP's governorship candidate has criticised Governor Mohammed Bago's government, saying security agencies in the state lack vehicles and equipment.