30 Worshippers Killed in Attacks on Four Mosques in Niger State

By Victor Idajili

At least 30 people were killed last Friday after gunmen attacked four mosques at the same time in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attacks happened during Juma’at prayers in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities. Witnesses said the gunmen gathered worshippers and forced dozens of them into the forest.

The Chairman of Borgu LGA, Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, confirmed on Monday that about 30 of those abducted were later killed by their captors. He said residents had recovered and buried the bodies.

“From the records I have, those kidnapped were a little above 60. Those that were killed were close to 30,” Abdullahi said.  
“The military has gone in there. The whole place is calm. We lost some people, and the burials were done. Some people ran away to safer grounds.”

The chairman added that some houses were burnt during the attacks, including the residence of the District Head of Dekara, Abubakar Umar.

Since Friday, many residents have fled the affected communities to New Bussa and even across the border to Benin Republic after the attackers threatened to kill anyone who stayed back.

“Only a few people are in Dekara now. Many people have left,” one resident said.

Police said a joint security operation has been launched to track the attackers and rescue those still in captivity.

A resident from one of the communities urged security agencies to step up pressure on the gunmen, and to use the same approach that worked during the rescue of Oriire abductees to free everyone being held.