Gunmen Invade Mosque In Niger, Abduct Worshippers

By Ayodele Oni

Niger State Police Command has confirmed invasion of a mosque by gunmen suspected to be terrorists and abducted worshippers.

Reports said the gunmen stormed the Central Mosque in the Dekara community, located in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted an unspecified number of worshippers, including a 90-year-old man.

The abduction occurred on Friday shortly after the conclusion of the weekly Juma’at prayer at the Central Mosque in Dekara community.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that worshippers were also abducted from Gidan Zana, Masaka, and Sabon Gida communities.

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

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Police Command in Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that security agencies had mobilised personnel for a rescue operation.

Abiodun, who said no death was recorded in connection with the incident, noted that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

He stated that the 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 Local Government headquarters has further slowed the deployment of security forces and the rescue operation.

Abiodun assured that security agencies were working to overcome the logistical challenges and intensify the search for the abducted worshippers.