By News Desk
MINNA, Nigeria — Heavily armed bandits abducted dozens of Muslim worshippers during Juma’at Friday prayers across communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack occurred shortly after afternoon prayers at the Central Mosque in Dekara community, as well as surrounding settlements including Gidan-Zana, Masaka, Sabon Gida, and Binzi.
Details of the Mosque Invasion
According to local accounts gathered by reporting from Reuters and Xinhua News Agency, armed men encircled the worship centers before leading congregants into nearby forests:
- Prominent Abductees: Eyewitnesses reported that among those abducted was the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara, as well as local community elders and young men.
- Militant Incursion: Local survivors reported that hundreds of armed fighters stormed the area wielding automatic weapons and machetes, forcing residents along bush paths leading toward the Kainji Lake forest corridors.
- Cross-Border Vulnerability: Borgu LGA lies in western Niger State near borders with Kebbi and Kwara states and neighboring Benin Republic, an area that has experienced growing pressure from armed criminal networks.
Police Confirmation and Operational Challenges
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the mass abduction, stating that security agencies have mobilized rescue teams to track the perpetrators.
Speaking on behalf of the command, Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that joint security personnel had been deployed across surrounding forest routes. However, tactical movement has faced significant logistical hurdles:
- Infrastructure Damage: Rescue operations have been hampered by a collapsed bridge linking the main town to the affected communities.
- Difficult Terrain: Poor road networks and rough terrain have slowed response times for heavy military and police vehicles.
Security forces continue to conduct search-and-rescue operations across potential escape routes to locate and liberate the victims.
