Four days after scores of worshippers were abducted at a Central Mosque in Dakera District, Borgu local government area, the Niger State government is yet to ascertain the number of the victims.
LEADERSHIP reports that the worshippers from Gidan-Zana and Kpenya communities in Dekara including the village head and the chief imam were abducted during last Friday (Juma’at) congregation’s prayer.
It was gathered that a total of 200 worshippers were in the mosque when the bandits struck after the prayer ended and marched them into the bush.
Reacting to the incident yesterday, the state government, in a statement issued by the commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Obed Nuhu Nana, acknowledged that the number of persons abducted and other details were still being verified.”
“Government therefore urges the public, particularly residents of the affected communities, to refrain from circulating unverified reports, casualty figures or speculative accounts that could heighten anxiety or compromise ongoing security efforts,” he added.
While describing the abduction of worshippers as a grave and unacceptable assault on the peace and security of the state, he reiterated that “preliminary reports from security agencies indicate that suspected terrorists invaded the communities on Friday, 21st August, 2026, and attacked the Kpenya Mosque during the Juma’at prayers, abducting an unspecified number of worshippers, while others reportedly escaped into surrounding areas.”
“Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed deep concern over the incident and directed the relevant authorities to work closely with the security agencies to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted persons and restore normalcy to the affected communities,” he said.
He stated further that the governor has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to protecting the lives and property of the people stressing that the government will not relent in its efforts to deny criminal elements the opportunity to undermine the peace being enjoyed across the state.
Mr Nana said a joint security operation has been mobilised to the affected area to assess the situation, track the perpetrators and facilitate the rescue of those abducted adding “given the sensitive nature of the ongoing operation, details concerning the movement and deployment of security personnel will not be disclosed at this time”.
