Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Six days after suspected terrorists abducted worshippers during Friday prayers in Niger State, the state government has confirmed that it has received no communication from the perpetrators and is still unable to establish the exact number of people taken.
The state Commissioner for Information, Obed Nuhu, disclosed this on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief. Nuhu said the August 21 attacks occurred at three different locations in Borgu Local Government Area and were suspected to have been carried out by Lakurawa and Boko Haram elements.
"No such (contact with the kidnappers) has happened," Nuhu said. "We have not had any interactions with them but the suspicion is the Lakurawas as they call themselves and the Boko Haram. It happened in three different locations around that kingdom".
The commissioner also said the government was still gathering information on the number of victims and warned against relying on unverified figures. He said the government would not speculate on the number of people abducted until it obtained verified details.
The attacks began at about 2 p.m. on Friday, August 21, when suspected terrorists stormed the Kpenya Mosque in Gidan-Zana, also known as Gbeji, during Juma'at prayers. The attackers reportedly abducted worshippers, including women, children and elderly people. Among those taken were the village head of Ka'ada, who had recently been released from the attackers' custody, and the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara.
The violence extended beyond the mosque and affected several communities in the Dekara area. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Northern Senators Forum said the attacks occurred in Gbeji, Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara communities, with residents reportedly killed, injured or abducted. The Islamic council expressed particular concern over the attack on Dekara, where terrorists reportedly invaded a central mosque during Jumu'at prayers and abducted more than 60 worshippers.
Conflicting casualty figures have emerged. The Presidency said more than 40 people were killed across the affected communities, while more than 100 others were abducted and taken into nearby forests. However, the Niger State Government has maintained that the exact number of abductees is still being verified.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a coordinated rescue operation involving the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies. The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, to coordinate the rescue operation. Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has also directed security agencies to work towards rescuing the victims and restoring peace in the affected communities.
The state government said a joint security operation had been launched in the affected area, but details of the operation would not be disclosed because of the sensitive nature of the mission.
As of Friday, August 28, 2026, the abductors have not made any contact with authorities. The development has heightened concerns among families whose relatives were taken during the attacks, particularly as authorities remain without direct communication from the perpetrators nearly one week after the incident.
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