Dozens Abducted as Armed Groups Assault Villages and Mosque in Niger State
Police report coordinated attacks on three villages and a place of worship in central Niger State, leaving dozens of worshippers missing.
Police in Nigeria’s central Niger State confirmed that armed assailants carried out simultaneous raids on three rural settlements and a nearby mosque. The coordinated strikes resulted in the kidnapping of dozens of worshippers who were gathered for prayer when the attackers entered the holy site.
According to local law enforcement, the gunmen moved swiftly through the villages, setting fire to homes and looting property before converging on the mosque. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as men in civilian clothing opened fire, forced congregants onto the ground and then forced them into waiting vehicles. The exact number of victims remains unclear, but officials estimate that at least twenty‑four individuals were taken.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of violence in Nigeria’s central region, where armed groups have increasingly targeted civilian populations and places of worship. Police have launched an investigation and are deploying additional units to the area in an effort to locate the missing worshippers and apprehend the perpetrators. Community leaders have called for calm and urged residents to cooperate with authorities, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance.
Security analysts note that the attacks underscore persistent challenges faced by Nigerian forces in curbing banditry and insurgent activity across the country’s interior. While the government has pledged to strengthen patrols and improve intelligence sharing, families of the abducted continue to await news of their loved ones. International humanitarian groups have expressed concern over the impact of such kidnappings on local stability and have appealed for swift action to protect vulnerable communities.
The police response remains ongoing, with investigators piecing together eyewitness accounts and reviewing any available surveillance footage. As the search for the missing worshippers continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in Niger State and the broader central Nigerian belt.