Residents of Melehe community in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State were thrown into panic on Friday night after armed bandits abducted two people, including a school principal and a local woman.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. when the four-man gang stormed the area in disguise. The bandits, dressed in hijabs, reportedly sat at the entrance of the victims’ residence pretending to be ordinary women.

It wasn’t until around 11:00 p.m. that the attackers revealed their true identity, forcibly removing the hijabs before breaking into the house. They abducted the Principal of Junior Secondary School, Melehe, along with a Fulani woman identified as Aminu Runtoje.

The incident has sparked fresh fears among residents, who described the criminals’ use of disguises as a dangerous new tactic.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement, but locals say security operatives have been alerted and efforts are underway to track down the abductors.

The daring raid has once again highlighted the growing insecurity in Niger State, where communities remain vulnerable to banditry and kidnappings.