By Umoru Shettima, Maiduguri

Armed bandits have abducted the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa, his son and another family member during an attack on Gulbin Boka community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred on Friday night when the gunmen reportedly invaded the residence of the traditional ruler and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination.

According to local sources, the attackers stormed the community under the cover of darkness before targeting the home of the Sarkin Fulani. The traditional ruler, his son and another relative were subsequently taken away by the assailants.

The attack was confirmed on Saturday by security monitoring platform Bakatsine, which disclosed that the gunmen carried out the operation without resistance before escaping from the area.

Bakatsine stated that the bandits attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga Local Government Area, and abducted the traditional ruler alongside two members of his family.

The latest incident has heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in Mariga and neighbouring communities, where residents continue to face recurring threats from armed criminal groups.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the abducted victims beyond the traditional ruler and their exact whereabouts remained unknown.

There was also no official confirmation on whether security agencies had launched a rescue operation or made any arrests in connection with the attack.

The abduction underscores the persistent security challenges confronting several rural communities in Niger State, where banditry, kidnappings and other violent crimes have continued to pose serious threats to lives and livelihoods.