Worshippers Abducted from Nigerian Mosque During Friday Prayers

Gunmen abducted several worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, in an attack that followed assaults on two nearby villages, Nigerian police announced Saturday.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that the attackers stormed the Kpeniya mosque in the Dikara area of Borgu local government area around 2 p.m. local time on Friday, after attacking the villages of Jidanu-Zana and Kpeniya. Abiodun reported that initial information did not record any fatalities.

A joint security force has been deployed to the area to assess the situation and conduct operations to rescue the kidnapped individuals. The police could not confirm the exact number of abductees.

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The attackers stormed the Kpeniya mosque in the Dikara area of Borgu local government area around 2 p.m. local time on Friday, after attacking the villages of Jidanu-Zana and Kpeniya.

Reuters, citing local residents, reported that more than 60 worshippers were abducted during the attack. These residents described the assault as coordinated, occurring simultaneously in Dikara and three other areas within Borgu during Friday prayers. Reuters stated it could not independently verify this account.

Mass kidnappings for ransom are common in northwestern and central Nigeria. Armed gangs frequently target villages, schools, and highways in these regions.

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initial information did not record any fatalities