5 Jharkhand workers freed after 8 months in Africa’s Niger militant captivity

Eight harrowing months after they were snatched by armed militants in West Africa’s Niger, five migrant workers from Jharkhand have been freed, bringing to an end a prolonged hostage ordeal that had gripped their families and shaken India’s overseas workforce community.

The Jharkhand government confirmed on January 8 that the men — Sanjay Mahto, Raju Mahto, Chandrika Mahto, Faljit Mahto and Uttam Mahto, all from Bagodar in Giridih district — were safe and in contact with officials following their release. The breakthrough came after sustained coordination between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian Embassy in Niamey, the state government and their employer, Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited (KPTL).

Arrangements are now being finalised to bring the workers back to India after medical checks and completion of diplomatic and immigration formalities, the Jharkhand State Migrant Control Room (SMCR) said.

Militants struck in broad daylight

The kidnapping took place on April 25, 2025, when heavily armed militants opened fire near a KPTL project site in Niger. Indian and local workers were returning from lunch when attackers, moving in motorcycle-borne groups, launched a coordinated assault.

As workers attempted to escape in a company vehicle, several were intercepted and dragged away. Survivors later told officials that the firing lasted nearly half an hour, after which five Indian workers from Jharkhand and one local resident were unaccounted for. The episode was later confirmed to be part of a larger militant operation that saw multiple foreign and Nigerien nationals taken hostage.

The abduction triggered panic across the project site, with many Indian workers seeking to return home amid fears over the deteriorating security situation.

Eight months of diplomatic and state-level push

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren took up the matter immediately after the abduction, directing the SMCR to work closely with the Protector of Emigrants under the MEA, the Indian Embassy in Niamey and KPTL to secure the men’s release and repatriation.

Behind the scenes, a slow and complex effort unfolded — involving diplomatic engagement, company-level coordination and local administration support — eventually leading to the hostages being freed without reported injuries.

Families kept afloat during captivity

While the men remained in militant custody, the Jharkhand government moved to shield their families from economic collapse. Through the Giridih district administration, the families were brought under a web of welfare and social security schemes, including ration cards, Ayushman Bharat health cover, MGNREGA job cards, pensions, housing benefits, Ujjwala LPG connections, Jal Jeevan Mission tap water links and e-Shram registration.

KPTL was also directed to continue depositing the workers’ salaries into their bank accounts, ensuring a steady income during the crisis.

With their release now confirmed, officials say the focus has shifted to medical evaluation, psychological support and a safe journey home — ending one of the most fraught overseas worker hostage episodes India has faced in recent years.