Gunmen Abduct Worshippers After Friday Prayers in Niger State, Nigeria

A wave of violence has struck Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria, as gunmen invaded multiple communities, abducting an unspecified number of worshippers shortly after Friday prayers. The attacks targeted Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida, and Masaka, leaving residents and local officials deeply concerned about the escalating security situation.

Hon. Jafar Muhammad Shetiman Borgu, the federal lawmaker representing the area, confirmed the incidents, stating that while some worshippers managed to escape, others sustained machete wounds. He described how attackers surrounded a mosque in Dekara, forcing worshippers into the forest, and subsequently moved to neighboring communities to abduct more people, including youths and heads of households.

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Some people managed to escape, while others sustained machete wounds.

The security challenges in Borgu, a region bordering Kebbi and Kwara states and the Republic of Benin, have intensified. Forests in the area are reportedly used as hideouts by suspected members of the Lakurawa and Mamudawa groups. Reports indicate a disagreement between these factions following the Friday attacks, with some members reportedly opposing the invasion of mosques and abductions, leading to internal clashes.

Authorities suspect that the abducted youths may be targeted for recruitment into these armed groups. This latest incident follows a period of heightened violence, with over 20 people reportedly killed in Borgu last week and a mass abduction of over 200 pupils in Papiri in November 2025. Despite assurances from security agencies, the attacks underscore the persistent security challenges confronting the state.

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Some members of the groups were said to have opposed the invasion of mosques and abduction of worshippers, leading to clashes between the factions.