JAMMU, July 20: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to the Central Government for assistance in securing the release of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban district, who was reportedly kidnapped by terrorists in Niger, West Africa, a few days ago.
His appeal to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar follows a heartfelt plea from Singh’s wife, Sheela Devi, seeking help for her husband’s release.
“The Chief Minister is deeply concerned about the kidnapping of Ranjeet Singh, a native of Ramban, in Niger. He has called upon @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to take urgent action to ensure Ranjeet’s safe and prompt return,” Abdullah’s office shared on social media platform X.
Singh, employed as a senior safety officer at Transrail Lighting Limited—a company involved in power transmission projects—has been missing since July 15. His wife said they last spoke via WhatsApp on that day, and she lost contact afterward. The company initially cited poor network connectivity at the site.
The Indian Embassy in Niger confirmed that two Indians were killed and one was abducted during a terrorist attack in the Dosso region on July 15. Local media reports suggest that the attack targeted army personnel protecting a construction site about 130 km from the capital, Niamey.
Sheela Devi later learned from her husband’s friend that Singh had been abducted. Despite this, the company claimed he had escaped into the forest. She expressed frustration over what she sees as a lack of effort to rescue him and said the company has not been responsive to her concerns.
Now caring for their three children alone, Sheela Devi has also met with Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, who assured her of his support. However, she believes the External Affairs Ministry must lead efforts to bring her husband home.
“If the ministry takes action, my husband can return safely,” she said.
