The Niger State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticised Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for flagging off his 2027 re-election campaign while more than 500 residents are reportedly being held captive by armed bandits.
The party described the governor’s decision as insensitive and a disregard for the plight of residents affected by insecurity, urging him to suspend his campaign activities until the abducted persons are rescued and reunited with their families.
The party’s Gubernatorial Campaign Spokesman and Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, made the call in a statement issued in Minna on Friday.
Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, cited three major abduction incidents involving residents of Dakera community in Borgu Local Government Area, Maikujeri in Rafi Local Government Area and Mariga Local Government Area.
He alleged that about 500 men, women and children were abducted during Jumu’ah prayers in Dakera, while 16 Islamic school students were reportedly kidnapped from Maikujeri on October 30, 2026.
He also said 47 women were abducted from their farms in Mariga, adding that the victims were still being held in forests by armed bandits.
According to him, about 30 of the worshippers abducted from Dakera had died in captivity, while others remained with their abductors.
The SDP spokesman also raised concerns over the reported threat of forced marriage involving a kidnapped girl, identified as Aisha, from Lavun Local Government Area.
He alleged that Aisha was abducted while returning from Kontagora after collecting her certificate and could be forced into marriage with one of her captors because her parents could not afford the ransom
demanded.
Vatsa said the cited incidents were only some of the reported cases of abductions across the state, insisting that several other victims might still be in captivity.
He argued that the protection of lives and property was the primary responsibility of government and accused the Bago administration of prioritising its political ambition over the safety and welfare of residents.
The former commissioner also faulted the governor for allegedly failing to visit communities affected by bandit attacks to sympathise with victims and their families.
He questioned the rationale behind taking campaign activities to communities affected by insecurity, claiming that the governor had not visited the areas when residents needed protection.
Vatsa further described the governor’s campaign flag-off on Thursday as a demonstration of what he called the administration’s disconnect from the people, citing insecurity and alleged abandoned projects.
He also argued that an administration with visible achievements should rely on its performance rather than extensive campaign banners and political publicity.