Security forces have moved into Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State to launch rescue operations for hundreds of residents reportedly abducted by terrorists during coordinated attacks last week.
The operation involves personnel from the military, the police and the Department of State Services following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to secure the affected communities and rescue the victims.
The scale of the abduction remains unclear. Police authorities put the number of victims at between 155 and 164, while the attackers claimed in a video that they were holding more than 500 people.
A community leader in Babanna, a neighbouring community, Idris Shiyaki, confirmed that security personnel had been deployed to the area.
“The situation now is a bit under control because they mobilised military personnel there. As I speak, the troops are still expanding their base,” he said.
A senior DSS officer also confirmed the deployment.
“I’m aware the team landed on Wednesday, and some other personnel will join them,” the officer said.
The attacks, which occurred on August 21, affected several communities in Borgu Local Government Area. The attackers were suspected to be members of the Lakurawa and Boko Haram terrorist groups.
They reportedly invaded Kpenya Mosque in the Dekara district during Friday Islamic prayers and attacked Gidan-Zana, Kpenya and other communities, abducting an unspecified number of residents.
Shiyaki said troops were also assisting survivors with the mass burial of victims whose bodies were recovered across the affected communities.
He added that military vehicles were being used to transport displaced residents who fled to Babanna, which has become a central refuge for survivors.
“Military vehicles are also being used to transport displaced persons who fled to neighbouring Babanna, which currently serves as a central refuge for survivors,” he said.
Rescue Operation Underway
A senior security officer confirmed that the Defence Headquarters deployed personnel to Borgu shortly after the President issued his directive.
“Personnel were deployed immediately after the President spoke on it on Monday. They are already in Niger and Borgu, to be specific.
“The first thing is to gather intelligence and know what is on the ground. A rescue operation is not done in a hurry. This is just a process, but I can assure you that the victims will be rescued,” the officer said.
The Niger State Police Command also confirmed that the rescue operation had commenced.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said security agencies were prioritising the safe rescue of the victims and were avoiding actions that could put their lives at greater risk.
“If you rush it, you might end up losing the lives of these victims you are trying to rescue. So, it is not about timing, but how prepared we are. It is about analysing all the strategies we need to put in place to rescue these victims unhurt,” Abiodun said.
According to him, at least five communities were affected by the attacks, leaving residents displaced and properties destroyed.
Shiyaki said the attackers struck shortly after night prayers, killing several residents, abducting others and setting homes ablaze.
“They burnt all the houses there; they didn’t leave anything for us. It is about five communities within the area that were affected: Mayanga, Dekara, Kapubara, Gbagbazhi and Yagba. They followed them one after the other,” he said.
Victims Believed Held in Kainji Park
Security and community sources said hundreds of those abducted may be held inside the Kainji National Park.
Residents of some of the affected communities had reportedly been warned to relocate because of growing terrorist activity in the area.
The Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adamu, said the forest reserve was a likely location for the abducted victims.
“When such incidents occur, what normally happens is that they (kidnappers) take them (victims) around and later disperse them and then hold them at a place to negotiate. So, it could be one, two or four groups holding them.
“They are most likely inside there. From there, they can lead you all the way into the Benin Republic. They can lead you back to Kebbi State, from there to Niger Republic.
“But I don’t think that is the intention. They don’t intend to take them to either Benin Republic or Niger. So, they are most likely inside the reserve while they are waiting to negotiate their release,” Adamu said.
A recently retired military intelligence officer also called for the deployment of tactical teams to strategic locations within the forest reserve.
“They will still be in the forest. That is their base. The security and tactical teams should man strategic locations,” he said.
Security sources said about seven active armed ideological and non-ideological groups operate in the old Borgu area of Niger State, including Lakurawa, Mamuda, Answaru, a faction of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, the official name of Boko Haram, and other bandit groups.
Residents Ignored Relocation Warnings
Officials said residents of the affected communities had previously been advised to relocate to allow security forces to conduct clearance operations against armed groups in the area.
A government official said the communities had been classified as a danger zone because of the growing presence of terrorists.
“That area is very dangerous. The government last year informed the people of the place that they were prone to attack and that they should relocate from the place.
“Kainji National Park is now the hub of the terrorists, and they are very close to Borgu. In fact, the terrorists are all over that place. So, the government advised the people to leave. It is unfortunate that these things are happening despite warnings,” the official said.
The source, however, did not disclose when or how the relocation warning was communicated.
Police spokesman Abiodun confirmed that residents had been warned about the presence of armed groups and advised to move away from the affected areas.
He said the government had planned a clearance operation but faced difficulties because residents remained in their communities.
“It will be very difficult to have the deployment of security teams in all these villages around Borgu Local Government Area, which stretches to Agwara. Government, over time, had declared that people should move away from these places to allow a clearance operation to be carried out.
“When this is done, and we ensure that these locations are safe, that is when people can now be asked to come back to these communities,” he said.
Abiodun said many residents were reluctant to leave their ancestral homes because of farming and other economic activities.
“But we know people sometimes find it difficult to leave their ancestral homes because of farming and other activities. However, one thing that should be very important is life. We don’t have two lives,” he added.
Fourth Mass Abduction in Nine Months
The latest attack is the fourth reported mass abduction in Niger State within nine months, further highlighting worsening security challenges across several communities.
On November 21, 2025, terrorists attacked St Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers.
On January 3, terrorists attacked Kasuwan Daji/Demo in Borgu Local Government Area, killing at least 30 people and abducting 57 residents.
On February 14, at least 176 women and children were abducted from Konkoso, Tungan-Makeri and Pissa in Borgu Local Government Area by suspected Boko Haram members.
Bandits also invaded Baga community in Shiroro Local Government Area on April 7, killing five residents and abducting at least 150 others.
The latest abduction has renewed concerns about the spread of mass kidnappings beyond isolated attacks on individuals and small groups, with similar incidents also reported in Kwara and Oyo states.
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