GUNMEN have abducted an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers in several communities within Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, including victims who were reportedly taken shortly after observing the weekly Juma’at prayer.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the incident occurred on Friday shortly after the conclusion of Juma’at prayer at the central mosque in Dekara community, with armed assailants also reportedly abducting worshippers from Gidan Zana, Masaka and Sabon Gida communities.
Among those reportedly taken by the gunmen was the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara, further heightening concerns over the attack.
Security sources and eyewitnesses confirmed that the armed assailants carried out the abductions across the affected communities, although the exact number of worshippers taken has yet to be ascertained.
Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, confirmed the incident, saying security agencies had mobilised personnel for a rescue operation.
Abiodun said no death had been recorded in connection with the attack, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.
He, however, disclosed that difficult terrain and poor road conditions were hampering the movement of security personnel deployed in response to the incident.
According to the police spokesman, a collapsed bridge linking the affected communities to the Borgu Local Government Area headquarters has further slowed the deployment of security forces and the ongoing rescue operation.
He said the security agencies were working to overcome the logistical challenges while intensifying efforts to locate and rescue the abducted Muslim worshippers and apprehend the perpetrators.
