By Ismail Isa, Minna

Security forces comprising the military, police and Department of State Services have been deployed to Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State following the abduction of hundreds of residents by suspected terrorists. The deployment followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to secure the affected communities and rescue the victims. While the police estimated the number of abducted persons at between 155 and 164, the terrorists claimed in a video that they were holding more than 500 people.

A community leader in Babanna, Idris Shiyaki, confirmed that troops had arrived in the area and were expanding their operations. He said the security forces were also assisting survivors and transporting displaced residents who fled to neighbouring Babanna, which has become a refuge for those affected by the attacks. Shiyaki added that troops were involved in the mass burial of victims whose bodies were recovered from the affected communities.

The attacks, which occurred during Friday prayers on August 21, affected several communities, including Kpenya, Gidan-Zana, Mayanga, Dekara, Kapubara, Gbagbazhi and Yagba. Several residents were killed, others abducted, while homes and other property were destroyed. Security sources said personnel had been deployed to gather intelligence and carefully plan the rescue operation to avoid endangering the captives.

The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the rescue operation had commenced. He said the priority was to secure the safe release of the victims, stressing that rushing the operation could put both the captives and security personnel at risk. He added that authorities had previously warned residents of the affected communities about the growing presence of armed groups and advised them to relocate temporarily to allow security forces to conduct clearance operations.

Sources said some of the abducted residents were believed to be held inside the Kainji National Park, which security experts identified as a possible hideout for terrorist groups operating in the region. Security and intelligence experts called for the deployment of tactical teams to strategic locations within the forest reserve, noting that the area could provide the attackers with routes into neighbouring states and countries.

The latest incident is one of several mass abductions recorded in Niger State in recent months, underscoring the worsening security situation in the state. Previous attacks included the abduction of students and teachers from St Mary’s School, Papiri, as well as mass kidnappings in Borgu and other communities. The repeated attacks have raised concerns over the spread of organised terrorist and bandit operations and the growing threat to rural communities across the North-Central region.