A source in the community said the attackers arrived around 2:00 pm on Wednesday while residents were harvesting their crops. Despite Palaita being only five kilometres from a military base in Erena, the bandits reportedly escaped with the victims before security operatives could react.
Earlier the same day, another group of armed men invaded the Kakuru community, also in Erena Ward. They attacked a blind resident, severing his right hand after taking a mobile phone from him. The attackers arrived around 8:00 am and found only the visually impaired man at home, as other residents had gone to their farms.
The victim reportedly told them the phone belonged to a neighbour who had gone to the farm. Angered by his response, the men seized the phone and amputated his right hand. He is currently receiving first aid at a patent medicine shop in Kuduru community.
The Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that efforts are underway to rescue the abducted residents. He said that on November 26, 2025, around 8:00 pm, a report was received indicating that suspected armed men abducted about ten persons from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages in Shiroro Local Government Area.
This latest attack comes less than a week after gunmen abducted more than 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, amidst an ongoing national security crisis marked by frequent kidnappings in several northern states.
