IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

Over 20 passengers in five vehicles were reportedly kidnapped on Thursday along the Mariga-Kontongora road as the Niger State House of Assembly to accept the “reality” that bandits had overtaken its training ground. 

 Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly and representative for Mariga Constituency, disclosed the incident during an interview with journalists, emphasising the ongoing threat to local communities.

 The Speaker’s comments come in response to the military’s recent denial that bandits were not operating within its training grounds in the Kontongora Local Government Area. 

 Sarkin-Daji explained that several families of previously abducted victims had been forced to deliver ransom payments to bandits within forested areas linked to the military’s land. Sarkin-Daji stated, “As members representing our people, we get feedback from our constituents of their plights. So, before we present anything on the floor of the House, we have done our investigation very well.”

 He added that the released victims confirmed they had been held in a forest within sight of the Kontongora Army Barracks. 

 The Speaker urged the military to re-evaluate its stance, saying, “It is not as if we are underrating the military capacity to fight bandits and terrorists, but it is not right to just dismiss the complaints of our people.”

 Sarkin-Daji continued, “The communities said the military training ground had become a safe haven for bandits who always come out of that forest to attack them, kidnap people, and take them to the same forest.” 

He expressed frustration with the military’s refusal to act on Assembly members’ reports, noting that the latest kidnapping incident further supported their concerns.

 On Wednesday, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters had refuted the Assembly’s claims, with Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba stating, “no inch of the training area has been ceded to the terrorist.” 

 Buba assured that the military’s ongoing operations in Niger State are aimed at dismantling terrorist camps.

 Despite this, Sarkin-Daji urged that the military do “the needful and flush out these criminals,” asserting that refuting local complaints only heightens community fears and threatens public safety.

 Sahara Reporters