Ranjit Singh’s family from Jammu and Kashmir, who was kidnapped in the Doso region of Niger, appealed to the government to help him back home safely. His wife, Sheela Devi, shared her plight in a hearty message and asked the government for rapid intervention in the situation.
In a special interview by ANI, his wife, Sheela Devi said, “My husband’s name is Ranjit Singh. He works as a senior security officer in a transmission lightening company in Niger. It is a transmission line and company name transiil. I tried to contact him on July 15, no communication has been done since then”.
She said that when she was not able to contact her husband, Sheela Devi came in contact with the management who informed her about a terrorist attack, which happened. To escape, people fled to the forest and informed that her husband also fled to the forest.
She said that after talking to her husband’s colleagues, she came to know that Ranjit Singh was kidnapped by terrorists. “This news was confirmed on 16 July.”
Sheela Devi appealed to the Government of India and all the higher officials to “Please bring my husband back home safely.”
“I don’t know in what condition my husband is,” he said that tears broke. “My whole life is at stake … I appeal to the Government of India to bring back my husband,” she said.
Saying that she has an old and sick family and three young children, which will help bring back her husband for only sharp action and intervention by higher Indian authorities.
Sheela Devi said that she had received positive response from the District Commissioner of Ramban.
Those who have taken my husband hostage, I also request them to return to your husband safely ”.
Singh, a resident of Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir, was working at a construction site when unknown armed attackers ambushed a Nigerian army unit guarding an electrical line construction project. Two other Indians lost their lives in the incident.
Located in a remote village of Chakka Kundi of Ramban, Ranjit Singh’s family was unaware of his hideout.
Ranjit Singh’s father, Mohan Lal Sen, has urged the Government of India to take immediate action to secure his son’s release, which expresses concern for his good and security.
In a special interview with ANI, Mohan Lal Sen said, “We want to ask Modiji to take action on it, the Indian government should work to bring him back. We have been suffering for the last 5-6 days. He has young children. We are very worried about him- where he is kidnapping, he has eaten anything or not.”
His mother, Sadhu Devi, is distraught, has not slept or eaten since the incident, and is desperate to see his son returning home.
In a heinous terrorist attack, two Indians were killed, while one was kidnapped in the Doso region of Niger, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Niger.
The Indian Embassy in Niamey is in touch with local authorities, which is to rebuild the mortal remains of those killed and to ensure safe release of the kidnapped Indian.
The mission also warned all the Indians of Niger to be vigilant. The Indian Embassy in Niger is working closely with local authorities to resume the mortal remains of two dead Indians and to ensure the safe release of Ranjit Singh.
Arab News, citing local sources, stated that unknown armed attackers ambushed the Nigerian army unit at an ambush at a construction site for a power line in the Doso area, which is about 100 kilometers (63 mi) from the capital Nemi city.
Earlier in March, Niger saw a terrorist attack by the Islamic State at the Great Sahara in Kokorau, resulting in at least 44 citizens and 13 seriously injured by the United Nations Security Council Press.
The 2023 country report of the US State Department was reported on terrorism for Niger, that terrorist organizations exploited the wide border areas and populated areas of Niger and to attack and recruit among the population where access to government services was weak and economic opportunities.
Niger is in the middle of a political upheaval because a military coup has controlled, demolishly excluded the elected President. In July 2023, Niger is facing a serious security crisis due to al-Qaeda associated with a military coup and Jihadi rebels associated with the Islamic State.
In July, 2023 President Mohammad Bajaum was detained by the President’s Guard and General Abdurhamane Tachiani declared himself a new leader. The program led to extensive international condemnation.
The Niger Council is the seventh such incident in West and Central Africa since 2020, which highlights the tendency of military intervention in the region.
The region has seen several target attacks to foreigners, including the abduction of help workers and Indian citizens. (AI)