Bandits Strike Again : Over 20 Villagers, Including Pregnant Women, Kidnapped
Shiroro, Niger State — A wave of fear swept through Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday, 26th November, after heavily armed bandits launched a broad-daylight assault on the quiet village of Shire-Irena, abducting more than 20 residents, including four pregnant women, in one of the most disturbing attacks recorded in recent weeks.
According to information obtained by Glintnews, the attackers were led by a notorious field commander known as Kachara Mekudi, a feared figure linked to the broader terror network operating across Northern and North-Central Nigeria. Eyewitnesses described the invasion as swift and coordinated, leaving villagers with no chance to escape as the attackers surrounded homes and forced residents into the forest.
Sources familiar with the internal dynamics of the criminal groups operating in the region revealed that Kachara was formerly a mid-level commander under the infamous bandit kingpin Dogo-Gida, long considered one of the most ruthless warlords in Nigeria’s northern region.
According to one security insider, Kachara “was allowed to grow his own parallel structure,” controlling territory, extorting communities, and launching independent operations. “He has built a base from which he kills, abducts, and imposes taxes on rural populations,” the source told Glintnews.
The latest attack was reportedly carried out by fighters loyal to Kachara, who have been linked to multiple abductions and violent incidents across parts of Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara States.
Although widely reported to have been killed in 2022 by one of his own deputies during an internal dispute, new intelligence shared with Glintnews contradicts that narrative. A high-level source insisted that reports of Dogo-Gida’s death were misinformation.
“The claim of his death was false. He is alive, and he is still coordinating operations from deep inside the North-Central forest corridors,” the source said, stressing that this revelation explains the continued sophistication of attacks linked to factions loyal to him.
Residents of Shiroro and neighboring communities have repeatedly raised concerns about escalating violence in the area, with villages frequently subjected to raids, displacement, and forced taxation by armed groups. Despite ongoing military operations aimed at reclaiming the region, many communities remain vulnerable.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity described the emotional toll of the latest abduction:
“People here are living in fear every day. They move in groups, they dictate what happens in our villages, and yesterday’s attack was just another reminder that we are not safe.”
As of the time this report was filed, Niger State authorities and security agencies have not released an official statement regarding the Shire-Irena abduction. Local security volunteers have reportedly begun tracking the movement of the kidnappers, but residents say experience has taught them not to expect quick rescue operations.
The incident adds to a growing list of mass kidnappings recorded across Nigeria’s North-Central region this year, underscoring the ongoing challenge of securing rural areas against armed groups that continue to adapt, regroup, and expand.
Analysts warn that the resurgence of coordinated bandit attacks, particularly those involving well-known commanders like Kachara, reflects deeper structural issues—including insufficient security presence in remote areas, limited intelligence penetration, and the increasing mobility of armed groups across state borders.
The federal government has repeatedly promised to restore peace to regions plagued by criminal networks, but residents say tangible results remain limited.
As families await news of their abducted loved ones, Shiroro Local Government Area joins a growing list of Nigerian communities grappling with uncertainty, fear, and the lingering threat of further attacks.
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