Niger Police Refute Claims of 50 Travelers Abducted in Borgu

The Niger State Police Command has denied reports that 50 passengers were kidnapped along the Lunma‑Wawa Road in the Borgu Emirate, calling the claim false and misleading.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun said the Command immediately contacted the Divisional Police Officer in New Bussa and carried out checks in the area after the report circulated.

According to him, investigations found that no kidnapping took place along the Lunma‑Wawa axis on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

“When we heard the report that 50 persons were abducted along the road, we contacted the DPO in charge of the area and made enquiries. Our findings confirmed that no such incident happened along the Lunma‑Wawa Road today,” he said.

The police spokesman added that security agencies had received information on Monday, June 15, about an attempted attack by suspected bandits on the same route.

He explained that the armed men reportedly blocked the highway in an apparent bid to intercept travellers, but motorists refused to stop and successfully escaped, leaving the attackers without any victims.

“There was an attempted attack yesterday, but it was not successful because commuters did not stop. No one was kidnapped,” Abiodun stated.

He noted that the most recent security incident recorded in Borgu Emirate occurred on Sunday, June 14, when suspected terrorists invaded Pesa village, killing three residents and setting several houses ablaze.

Abiodun said security agencies are continuing efforts to safeguard communities and major routes across the emirate, urging the public to verify information before spreading reports that could cause panic.

He further maintained that the claim of a mass abduction of 50 passengers remains unfounded and does not reflect the situation on the ground.