By Obah Sylva
Residents of Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State protested in New Bussa on September 21, demanding the release of people abducted during attacks on communities a month earlier. Community representatives say hundreds remain in captivity, but the total has not been independently verified and authorities have not announced an official count.
The protest followed the August 21 attacks in the Dekara area, when gunmen abducted residents, including worshippers. Residents also called on authorities to establish how many people remain missing and intensify efforts to locate them.
Key Highlights
- Borgu residents protested in New Bussa over people still believed to be held by kidnappers.
- The abductions occurred during attacks on communities on August 21, 2026.
- Reports identified Dekara, Gidan-Zana, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Masaka among the affected communities.
- Community leaders have estimated that close to 700 people remain in captivity, a figure Reuters said it could not independently verify.
- Residents demanded a village headcount and clearer information from authorities.
- Niger State officials said security agencies had been mobilised for rescue efforts.
Borgu Residents Protest Over Abducted People
Residents from Dekara and neighbouring communities gathered at the Borgu Local Government headquarters in New Bussa on September 21, according to Reuters reporting published by TimesLIVE.
They called for action to secure the release of their relatives and other residents taken during the attacks. Protesters also sought a headcount in affected villages to help establish how many people were unaccounted for.
Residents said shops closed during the protest, which coincided with a market day. The demonstration reflected frustration over the lack of publicly confirmed information about the captives and the progress of rescue efforts.
August Attacks Targeted Communities in Borgu
The attacks took place on Friday, August 21, in communities in the Dekara district and surrounding areas of Borgu LGA. Local accounts said armed men attacked several villages and abducted worshippers during Jumu’ah prayers.
Communities named in reports included Dekara, Gidan-Zana, also known as Gbeji, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Masaka. The Associated Press reported that police did not provide an abduction total at the time, while local accounts said scores of people were taken.
Conflicting Estimates of Those Still Missing
Residents have given differing estimates of the number abducted. Some earlier community accounts put the figure at about 600, while Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, president of the Borgu Youths Development Association, said communities estimated that close to 700 people remained in captivity.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the estimate of nearly 700. The report also said authorities had not provided an official total. A local youth group reportedly compiled a list of 547 people whose whereabouts were unknown, but that list has not been independently verified.
The gap between official and community accounts has increased calls for a village-by-village headcount and clearer updates to families waiting for news of their relatives.
Government Says Security Agencies Are Mobilised
President Bola Tinubu ordered a multi-agency rescue operation after the August attacks. Security personnel were deployed to the affected area, according to state and federal statements reported at the time.
Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nuhu Nana told Reuters that security agencies had been mobilised and that the government was making efforts to rescue the abducted residents. As of the protest, no major breakthrough involving the bulk of those abducted on August 21 had been publicly announced.
Families Await News of Their Relatives
For families in Borgu, the priority remains finding and safely recovering their relatives. Residents have urged state and federal authorities to intensify operations, share clearer information and improve security in communities vulnerable to armed raids.
The exact number of people still in captivity remains uncertain. Residents are calling for an accurate record of those abducted and for continued efforts to bring them home safely.
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