Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over Reported Mass Abduction of 600 in Niger

Peter Obi has raised the alarm over the reported mass abduction of residents in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

He called on the Federal Government to treat the situation as an emergency and immediately intensify efforts to rescue those still in captivity.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) reacted to the attacks on communities in the area, including Dekara, where worshippers were reportedly taken away during Juma’at prayers.

Obi said reports reaching him indicated that as many as 600 people, mainly women, children and elderly residents, may have been abducted in the attacks.

He, however, noted that the figure was still being verified.

He also said reports suggested that about 30 people may have been killed during the attacks.

The incident has generated fresh concern over the security situation in Borgu, particularly after armed men reportedly attacked several communities on August 21. The affected areas include Dekara, Kpenya, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida.

The attackers were reported to have invaded communities around the Dekara District and targeted residents during and shortly after Friday prayers.

In Kpenya, worshippers were reportedly abducted from a mosque while Juma’at prayers were taking place.

“This is one case too many,” Obi said.

He described the development as a serious security failure that should “shake the conscience of every Nigerian” and force the government to take immediate action.

Obi condemned the reported abduction of worshippers from a place of worship. He said the victims were taken into forested areas after the attackers raided the communities.

He expressed concern that Nigerians could be attacked in broad daylight and taken away in large numbers while government attention appeared to be focused on political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Our people are being left vulnerable while the political class appears increasingly consumed by the next election,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that the protection of lives should take priority over political considerations.

“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost,” the former Anambra State governor stated.

Obi therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy what he described as “overwhelming intelligence-led security operations” to locate and rescue the abducted residents.

He also urged security agencies to secure the affected communities and go after the networks and enclaves allegedly providing support and safe havens for armed groups operating in the area.

His call came amid conflicting figures surrounding the number of people abducted during the attacks.

Initial reports from the Niger State Police Command said an unspecified number of worshippers were taken away.

The police also said a joint security team had been deployed to assess the situation and begin rescue operations.

The Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Nasiru Abdullahi, also confirmed the attack and said several communities had been affected.

At the initial stage, authorities said they could not establish the exact number of residents taken by the attackers.

A later account from the local government put the number of kidnapped residents at slightly above 60 and said close to 30 people had been killed.

The figures have not matched the much higher estimate of 600 cited by Obi, making verification of the actual number of victims important.

The attacks also reportedly affected families and homes in the area. Some residents were said to have fled into surrounding forests or moved to safer locations after the gunmen invaded their communities.

The security situation prompted the Niger State Government to direct security agencies to step up efforts to rescue the abducted worshippers and track down those responsible for the attacks.

The Federal Government has also ordered security agencies to work towards securing the release of those in captivity and provide updates on the rescue operation.

Obi further drew attention to the difficult terrain in the affected area. According to him, reports that a collapsed bridge and poor access had affected the early rescue response showed the need for government to address infrastructure problems in communities facing security threats.

He argued that security operations could become more difficult when roads and other critical infrastructure are in poor condition.

The NDC presidential candidate expressed sympathy with residents of Borgu and families affected by the attacks.

He also called on the authorities to ensure that those taken away are found and brought back safely.

“We must bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them,” he added.

The latest incident adds to a series of security challenges confronting communities in parts of Niger State.

Borgu, which borders areas around the Kainji Lake axis, has faced attacks by armed groups, with its difficult terrain making security operations particularly challenging.

The Northern Senators’ Forum called for the immediate release of the abducted residents, while the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs condemned the reported abduction of Muslim worshippers during Juma’at prayers.