Residents of Niger State have protested over the continued captivity of hundreds of people abducted during a mass kidnapping in the Borgu area, one month after armed men attacked several communities.
Protesters from Dekara and neighbouring communities gathered at the local government headquarters in New Bussa, demanding urgent action to secure the release of the victims. Residents say about 600 people, mainly women, children and elderly people, were abducted during the August 21 attack.
Community representatives have since estimated that the number of people still in captivity could be close to 700, although the figure has not been independently verified. They called for a head count in affected communities to establish the exact number of missing residents.
President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate rescue operation after the attack, but the abducted residents have yet to be found. Niger State officials said security agencies had been mobilised, while acknowledging that the victims had not been recovered.
The prolonged crisis has disrupted daily life in Borgu, with residents reporting restricted access to markets and healthcare. Shops were also shut during Monday’s protest as communities demanded stronger security measures and the safe return of those abducted.
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