Gunmen attack Niger state communities, abduct Muslim worshippers after Juma’at prayer

 Gunmen have abducted an unspecified number of Muslim
worshippers in communities within Borgu LGA of Niger state.

 

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on
the Lake Chad region, reported that the incident occurred on Friday shortly
after the conclusion of the weekly Juma’at prayer at the central mosque in
Dekara community.

According to security sources and eyewitnesses cited by the
publication, worshippers were also abducted from Gidan Zana, Masaka, and Sabon
Gida communities.

Among those reportedly taken by the armed assailants was the
90-year-old father of the district head of Dekara.

Wasiu Abiodun, police public relations officer of the Niger
state command, confirmed the incident and added that security agencies had
mobilised personnel for a rescue operation.

Abiodun said no death had been recorded in connection with
the incident, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate the victims and
apprehend the perpetrators.

He, however, said difficult terrain and poor road conditions
were hampering the movement of security personnel responding to the incident.

He said a collapsed bridge linking the affected communities
with the Borgu LGA headquarters had further slowed the deployment of security
forces and the rescue operation.

The police spokesman said security agencies were working to
overcome the logistical challenges and intensify the search for the abducted
worshippers.

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