Banditry: Niger Christians Pray Against Banditry, Calls For Deployment Of More Security Personnel

By Ayodele Oni

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, rallied worshippers on Sunday to pray against incessant banditry during which they called for more security presence at places of worship especially during Fridays Jumu’at prayers and Sundays services.

Chairman of the CAN in Niger state, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna made the disclosure in a homily on Sunday at the St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Church, Kontagora, following the abduction of unspecified number of worshippers from mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana in Borgu local government area of Niger state during Jumu’at prayers on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Accordingly, he said “the whole of Borgu Emirate which include Agwara and Borgu LGAs need strong and permanent security presence so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted.”

While appealing for a beefed up in security at places of worship, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, condemned in strong terms the abduction of hundreds of Muslim worshippers during Jumu’at prayers.

In his words: “for us, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the wider community.

‎ “And as a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities.

“Millions of Christians and all the churches across the state have intensified prayers for the safe returns of the abducted worshippers in Borgu local government area.

“As a Body, we have set aside today (Sunday) to call on all Nigerlites, Christians and churches across Niger State to use this Sunday service to cry to God and to pray specifically for the safe return of the abductees and for God to help our security agencies.

“We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”

Bishop Yohanna commended the Federal and State Governments, as well as security agencies for their roles so far