Bandits storm mosque in Niger community, abducts many worshippers

Muslim worshippers in Dekara community in Borgu Local Government Council of Niger State, have it rough on Friday as heavily armed bandits stormed
(Jumma’ah) prayers at the central mosque and abducted scores.

A resident and a worshipper who narrowly escaped recounted that bandits opened fire immediately after the prayers were concluded by the Chief Imam with the recitation of “Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.”

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The resident who identified himself as Mohammed Haruna, said,.armed bandits surrounded the mosque and after the last prayer lined up worshippers and marched them into the nearby bush towards the Kainji Lake forest suspected to be the camp of bandits.

Another person, Hassan Ibrahim who said he didn’t worship in the affected mosque also explained that, ‘Those affected include residents from Gidan Zana, Masaka, Sabo Gida and other neighbouring villages who perform their Friday Prayers at the central mosque.”

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He said, the Chief Imam and the village head of Ka’ada who was recently released from captivity were among the abductees.

The incident has been confirmed by the
Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun.

He said, “On 21/8/2026 at about 4pm, report received indicated that on same date at about 2pm, suspected terrorists invaded Gidan-Zana, Kpenya village via Dekara District Borgu, and Kpenya mosque and abducted unspecified number of persons during prayers while others escaped into the nearby forest.

“However, the developing report indicated that no life was lost, while a joint security detachment has been deployed to the area for assessment and rescue operations. Further developments will be made public.”

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