Sanjay Mehta has been making consistent efforts to secure the return of five Indian workers abducted by terrorists in Niger, West Africa. All victims hail from Bagodar in Giridih district, Jharkhand.
The kidnapping occurred on April 25, 2025, in Sakoira, Tillabéri, around 115 km from Niamey, Niger’s capital. The attack resulted in 12 Nigerien soldiers’ deaths. During the incident, five Bagodar residents—Sanjay Mahto, Chandrika Mahto, Phaljit Mahto, Raju Mahto, and Uttam Mahto—were taken hostage while working on a Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL) power transmission project.
Upon becoming aware of the issue, Sanjay Mehta acted swiftly and wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), giving a detailed account of the incident. The MEA promptly began their intervention. Mehta also visited the victims’ families and extended financial aid.
Sanjay Mehta, a former Hazaribagh Lok Sabha candidate, persistently coordinated with MEA officials to address the issue. He held discussions with Under Secretary B.N. Pandey, India’s Ambassador to Niger Sita Ram Meena, and Lt. Col. Sanjeev Kumar, OSD to Sewala Naik Mude, an officer handling Central and West African affairs in the MEA.
As a result of this intervention, Ambassador Sita Ram Meena met Niger’s military leader, Colonel Abdurrahman Tiyani, on May 9. The Colonel assured that efforts were being made to ensure the safe release of the abducted Indians.
Sanjay Mehta wrote five letters to the MEA on April 30, May 2, May 4, May 22, and May 23, 2025, and while actively communicating with KPIL officials. In its response, the MEA informed Sanjay Mehta that following meetings with Niger’s Ambassador to India, senior Nigerien officials, the Nigerien government, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Niger’s military chief and staff provided a detailed report on the situation.
The MEA , confirmed that the kidnapped individuals are currently safe, likely near the Mali border. Due to the regional sensitivity, India has also opened diplomatic channels with Mali.
India’s Ambassador has spoken with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Mali, ICRC officials in New Delhi, and other relevant authorities. Lt. Col. Sanjeev Kumar and MEA officials also met with KPIL representatives. The MEA advised KPIL to maintain active collaboration with the ICRC and local authorities in Niger and Mali.
The MEA stated that coordinated diplomatic actions are underway to secure the release of the abducted individuals. Niger’s Foreign Affairs (CDA) has been engaged at the highest levels to ensure the safe release of the Indian citizens.
The ministry added that it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the governments of Niger and Mali, local contacts, stakeholders, KPIL, and humanitarian agencies.
Mehta said, “We are in constant contact with the Ministry of External Affairs. We are making every possible effort to bring back the workers from our state. We are closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are ongoing at the MEA level. The safe return of the workers is our resolve.”
