Bandits on Sunday morning invaded a Baptist Church in Gidigori in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State and abducted a Pastor and seven members of the church.
It was gathered that the gunmen entered the church unchallenged after the service had ended and abducted their victims to an unknown destination.
The bandits who were said to be armed to their teeth were said to have entered the village and made their way straight to the Church premises and effortlessly took away the worshippers who had remained behind to discuss matters affecting the church.
Several incidents of abductions have reportedly occurred in Niger State from March 2021 until now.
On March 8, bandits invaded Jangaru village in Rafi Local Government Area and abducted thirty persons
Similarly,on October 20, Bandits kidnapped 30 travellers along Garun Gabas village in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
Four persons were also abducted by bandits on November 15 at Tejina village in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
On January 14,2022, Bandits kill thirteen persons harvesting crops on their farms in Nakundna village in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
Barely one week after, Bandits stormed Batagari village in Maikujeri District of Rafi Local Government Area killing one person and abducting fifteen villagers.
Worried by the spate of kidnapping in the state, the Niger State Government on February 7,2022, ordered restriction of movement in Rafi and Shiroro,the two troubled local government areas of the state.