Nigerian Police Confirm Bandits’ Abduction Of Worshippers In Borgu During Juma’at Service | Sahara Reporters

Among those reportedly taken away by the attackers is the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara, according to local sources.

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers by suspected bandits in communities within Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday shortly after the conclusion of the weekly Juma’at prayers at the Central Mosque in Dekara community, according to security sources and eyewitnesses familiar with the development who spoke with Zagazola Makama.

The victims were said to have been abducted from Gidan Zana, Masaka, Sabon Gida and other neighbouring communities in the area by armed assailants who reportedly invaded the communities after the Friday prayers.

Among those reportedly taken away by the attackers is the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara, according to local sources.

The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in remote communities in Borgu, particularly areas considered vulnerable to attacks and abductions by armed criminal groups operating in the region.

Confirming the abduction, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said security agencies had mobilised personnel for a rescue operation aimed at locating the victims and apprehending those responsible for the attack.

Abiodun said no death had been recorded in connection with the incident, adding that security personnel were making efforts to secure the release of the abducted worshippers.

He, however, disclosed that the difficult terrain and poor road conditions in the affected communities were hampering the movement and deployment of security personnel responding to the incident.

According to the police spokesman, a collapsed bridge linking the affected communities with the Borgu Local Government headquarters had further slowed down the movement of security forces and affected the rescue operation.

The logistical challenge, he said, had made it more difficult for security personnel to quickly access some of the affected communities and surrounding areas where the attackers may have escaped with the victims.

Abiodun said security agencies were working to overcome the challenges and intensify the search for the abducted worshippers, while efforts were also being made to track down the perpetrators.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops and other security personnel were expected to sustain search operations across surrounding forests and possible escape routes believed to have been used by the attackers.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over attacks on communities in parts of Niger State, where difficult terrain and inadequate road infrastructure have continued to pose challenges to security operations.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could assist in rescuing the victims and tracking down the perpetrators.

The police also assured residents that security personnel were working to locate the abducted worshippers and restore security in the affected communities.

The number of victims abducted in Friday’s incident had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.