Worshippers were reportedly abducted during Friday prayers in Niger State after bandits invaded the area, with authorities yet to determine the exact number of people taken.
Bandits have reportedly invaded Dekara community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of residents shortly after they attended Friday (Juma’at) prayers.
The attack occurred between about 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, as the armed men stormed the community and allegedly rounded up residents who had gathered at the mosque for the congregational prayer.
The Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Honourable Nasiru Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview shortly after the attack.
He explained that Dekara, the largest community in the area, was among the areas affected by the attack.
According to him, other affected communities include Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida and Masata.
The chairman said it was difficult to establish the exact number of people abducted as of the time of the interview, noting that there was no confirmed information on the number of residents taken away by the attackers.
He, however, said the local government was working to ensure that security agencies responded swiftly to the situation and provided the necessary assistance to the affected communities.
Nasiru expressed confidence that the military and other security agencies would do everything possible to respond to the incident, rescue the affected residents and restore peace and security to the area.
Dekara is a community in Borgu LGA, in the area around the Kainji Lake National Park, while the local government shares a boundary with Kwara State.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of people abducted could not be independently confirmed, as residents were still trying to establish the identities and whereabouts of those taken.
When contacted, the NIger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to provide feedback but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
But a survivor said the attackers were members of the Lakurawa group, adding that some of the residents were killed.
“Soon after finishing the normal Friday prayer, the armed group of Lakuwara, in their hundreds, wielding guns, knives and machetes, began to attack us,” the survivor said. “They slaughtered some of our people, saying we are not practicing the true teachings of Islam.”
The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in communities across Borgu Local Government Area, particularly those around the Kainji Lake axis.
Residents are now anxiously awaiting further security intervention and efforts to ascertain the number of people abducted and secure their safe release.
