Niger

A Nigerian military combat drone has crashed in the Kontagora forest area of Niger State, raising fresh concerns over aerial military operations in the North-Central region. The unmanned combat aircraft reportedly went down on Friday, though the cause of the crash has not yet been established. A photograph obtained by reporters shows the wreckage of the drone lying in a forested area, with no visible signs of explosion. Sources familiar with the incident said the drone crashed without detonating. However, it could not be independently confirmed where the aircraft was deployed from or the specific mission it was undertaking at the time of the crash. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military has not issued an official statement on the incident. The Niger State Government has also yet to react. Read Also: Cervical Cancer Claims One Life Every Two Minutes, UN Says 18,000 benefit from Mangal’s free Eye care in Katsina APC Remains Dominant Ahead of 2027, Says Yilwatda The development comes amid heightened security operations across parts of northern Nigeria, where aerial surveillance and combat drones are increasingly deployed in counterinsurgency and anti-banditry efforts. Meanwhile, a separate incident has drawn attention on social media, where a video circulating online shows some individuals, suspected to be herders, handling what they claimed were fragments of an unexploded munition in Jabo community, Sokoto State. In the video, the men, speaking in Hausa, were seen sitting around a metallic object, touching and mocking it, while making remarks perceived as dismissive of foreign military power. One of the individuals was heard urging others to display courage while praying that the object would not explode. The origin and authenticity of the object displayed in the video could not be independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation linking it to any foreign or local military operation. Security experts have repeatedly warned civilians against handling suspicious or unexploded objects, noting the serious risk such actions pose to lives and property. (Platinum Post)

Bandits have reportedly abducted 20 farmers, including four pregnant women and several children, in Unguwan-Kawo, Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Residents told journalists on Thursday that the victims were seized around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, while harvesting rice on their farmland. A resident, who asked not to be named, said his nephew was among those taken, noting that the attack occurred about 500 metres from Erena town, where a military camp is located. Read Also: Ganduje Urges Kano Government to Act Swiftly Against Bandit Attacks in Shanono and Tsanyawa The incident occurred barely six days after more than 200 students, pupils, and staff were kidnapped from St. Mary Secondary and Primary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command would verify the report. (Trust)

The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of an unspecified number of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s School in the Papiri area of Agwara Local Government Area, describing the incident as “deeply distressing and avoidable.” In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the government said it was still awaiting an exact headcount as security agencies continue their assessment. Usman revealed that the attack occurred despite earlier intelligence warnings indicating an elevated threat level across parts of the Niger North Senatorial District. Following the alert, the government had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and directed the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the zone. “Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk,” the statement said. Read Also: Kwara Church Attack: Abductors Contact Families, Demand N100m Ransom Per Victim The SSG added that security agencies have launched full-scale investigations and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils. He assured residents that the government remains in close contact with security formations and will provide updates as the situation unfolds. Authorities urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to security advisories, stressing that the protection of children remains the administration’s top priority. Residents were also encouraged to remain calm and support security personnel with relevant information. Local sources said the attack occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Friday, noting that several pupils were taken during a raid on the Catholic-run school. The exact number remains unclear as records were still being compiled. The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident by telephone but said verification was ongoing. Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun also noted that details would be provided later. The incident comes barely days after 25 students were abducted in Maga, Kebbi State, amid rising concerns over attacks on educational institutions in the northern region. In neighbouring Kwara State, bandits recently attacked a CAC church in Eruku, killing three worshippers and abducting more than 20 others — an incident that prompted the state government to shut down over 50 schools. The recurring assaults on schools have heightened anxiety among parents and renewed calls for stronger community-based security measures across vulnerable areas.

Several students and staff members have been kidnapped following an overnight attack on St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution located in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. Although full details are still emerging, sources told said that a significant number of students were taken when bandits raided the school late Thursday night. A source within one of the Catholic churches in Niger State confirmed the incident, explaining that the institution was still in the process of verifying those affected.“Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day,” he said. Read Also: Gunmen Abduct Four Rice Farmers in Kwara Efforts to get comments from the Niger State Police Command were ongoing, as spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said he would provide further information later. However, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, verified the incident by phone. He reported that the attackers struck between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., and that authorities were still determining the exact number of abducted students and staff. The assault follows a similar kidnapping in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were taken earlier in the week, intensifying concerns about rising insecurity around schools in the region. Just a day earlier, more than 50 schools were closed in Kwara State due to escalating bandit activities. President Bola Tinubu had also cancelled scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s response to the worsening security situation. (DAILY TRUST)

No fewer than 29 people have lost their lives, while two others remain missing, after a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized in Gausawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday as passengers, mostly women and children, travelled from Tugan Sule in Shagunu ward to Dugga community for a condolence visit. Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the development on Wednesday. He said 50 passengers had been rescued, while search and rescue operations were ongoing for the missing persons. Read Also: Bago: Even If I Sell Niger State for Development, It’s Nobody’s Business “The mishap was caused by overloading and collision with a tree stump. As at the time of reporting, 29 dead bodies have been recovered, 50 rescued, while two remain missing,” Baba-Arah stated. It was gathered that none of the passengers wore life jackets during the trip. A transport ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented the refusal of many passengers in riverine areas to wear protective gear despite repeated safety warnings. The accident is the second in Niger State this year. A similar incident in July claimed more than 200 lives in Mokwa, also caused by collision with a tree stump. Following that tragedy, the National Inland Waterways Authority distributed life jackets to riverine communities.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has dissolved the State Executive Council. The announcement was made on Monday during a council meeting at the Government House, Minna. Addressing members, the governor thanked them for their service and contributions to the growth and development of the state, wishing them success in their future endeavours. Related: Bago: Even If I Sell Niger State for Development, It’s Nobody’s Business Bago, however, clarified that some key aides would retain their positions. Those exempted from the dissolution include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff, and other principal officers directly attached to his office.