President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to launch an immediate rescue operation for victims abducted during Friday prayers at multiple mosques in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State .
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the attackers as “enemies of peace and enemies of humanity” and vowed that those responsible “will not go scot-free” .
“Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free,” Tinubu said.
The attack occurred on August 21, when gunmen stormed four mosques simultaneously during Juma’at prayers in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities . The worshippers were assembled and marched into the forest towards the Kainji Lake area, a known hideout for bandits .
The attackers also released a video claiming to be holding around 500 people, though authorities have not independently confirmed this figure . The terrorists destroyed a solar-powered telecommunications network in the area, complicating rescue efforts .
Among those taken was the 90-year-old village head of Ka’ada, who had been recently released from a previous kidnapping, as well as the chief imam of the central mosque . Worshippers from surrounding villages who had gathered for the Friday prayer were also among the victims . The village head of Ka’ada is also the biological father of the District Head of Dekara .
Borgu Local Government Chairman Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi said about 30 of those abducted have been killed and their bodies recovered and buried . He told Daily Trust that those kidnapped numbered slightly above 60 .
More than 200 residents have reportedly fled across the border into the Benin Republic, while others have sought refuge in neighbouring Kwara State .
Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe rescue of the worshippers, warning that victims of previous mass kidnappings have reported torture, starvation, sexual violence and mutilation .
