Nigeria: Nearly 700 people still held captive a month after mass abduction
Nearly 700 people are believed to still be held captive in Niger State, in north-central Nigeria, more than a month after a series of mass abductions occurred in the Borgu district. Residents of Dekara and several nearby localities protested in New Bussa, demanding their release and condemning the lack of visible progress in rescue operations.
SUMMARY
The abductions date back to August 21, 2026, when armed men carried out coordinated attacks across several communities. According to estimates from local officials and residents, the missing individuals are predominantly women, children, and the elderly. However, a definitive count has yet to be established.
President Bola Tinubu had ordered security forces and the military to launch a rescue operation following the attacks. A month later, families are still awaiting precise information regarding the fate of their loved ones, while insecurity continues to disrupt travel, access to markets, and healthcare.
In a show of protest, several businesses have closed in the Borgu area. The demonstrators are also calling for an official census of the missing persons to accurately assess the scale of the abduction.
Growing pressure on authorities
This situation arises amid ongoing insecurity in several regions of Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become commonplace. Armed groups target both villages and major roadways, as well as educational institutions.
Authorities have not released a detailed report on the progress of the rescue operation. Families and community leaders are now demanding concrete results and an increased security presence in the most vulnerable rural areas.
Comments