At least 30 worshippers abducted during coordinated attacks on four mosques in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State have been killed by their captors, authorities have confirmed.
The gunmen reportedly stormed mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities during Juma’at prayers last Friday, abducting worshippers after gathering them together and marching them into nearby forests.
Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, said about 60 people were abducted during the attacks, with nearly half of them later killed.
Abdullahi said the bodies of the victims had been recovered and buried, while security forces had moved into the affected communities in pursuit of the attackers and to rescue those still being held captive.
“The attackers took advantage of the prayer period to abduct residents. Sadly, close to 30 of those taken have been killed,” he said.
He added that several properties were destroyed during the attacks, including the residence of the District Head of Dekara, Abubakar Umar, which was reportedly burnt.
The attacks have triggered fresh displacement across the area, with residents fleeing to New Bussa and neighbouring Benin Republic amid threats from the gunmen.
A resident said only a few people remained in Dekara, as most families had abandoned their homes and moved to safer locations.
Security agencies have launched a joint operation to track down the attackers and rescue the remaining captives. Residents, however, urged the authorities to intensify military operations and target terrorist hideouts in the affected areas.
The latest violence has further worsened the security situation in Borgu, where communities have suffered repeated attacks, killings, abductions and destruction of property in recent months.
Residents said seven of the 10 wards in the local government had been affected by the violence, forcing many farmers to abandon their homes and farmlands.
Several communities have reportedly been deserted, while schools and markets have closed because of persistent insecurity.
The violence has also disrupted farming and livestock activities in the area, which is known for producing maize, rice, beans, millet, sorghum, groundnuts and other crops.
Residents further alleged that terrorists had imposed levies on some communities and threatened attacks against those who refused to pay.
They called for a stronger military presence, humanitarian assistance for displaced families and urgent measures to secure rural roads and farmlands.
The latest attacks followed a series of deadly incidents along communities and routes linking parts of Borgu, including attacks on farmers, travellers and security outposts.
Residents said the continued violence had made movement across rural areas increasingly dangerous, forcing thousands of people away from their homes and sources of livelihood.
