Gunmen on Sunday abducted at least eighteen passengers of the Niger State Transport Authority, the government confirmed.
The passengers were travelling to Minna, the state capital from Kotangora when the incident happened. The incident took place at Yakila village in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
Both the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, and the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Mallam Ibrahim Inga, have confirmed the incident.
Matane said the government was still receiving briefs about the incident and could not give details yet.
“We are aware of the attack but we cannot give out full figures until we are able to get full report.
“We are still receiving narratives of what really happened but we need to take full account to give authentic figures and report.
“Yes, there was an interception by bandits and unfortunately, the NSTA fell trapped into the attack. Some passengers were abducted. We are yet to get full details,” he said.
Mantane explained that the security personnel stationed along the Zungeru road responded but could not get to the scene on time.
Niger is the largest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass.
