Niger: Security Forces Move into Borgu to Rescue Hundreds Abducted by Terrorists

Security forces, including the military, police and Department of State Services (DSS), have moved into Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State to rescue hundreds of residents reportedly abducted by terrorists.

 

The deployment followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for security agencies to secure the affected communities and rescue the victims.

 

While the police put the number of abducted residents between 155 and 164, the terrorists claimed in a video that they were holding more than 500 people.

 

A community leader in neighbouring Babanna, Idris Shiyaki, confirmed the arrival of security forces, saying troops were expanding their base in the area.

 

“The situation now is a bit under control because they mobilised military personnel there. As I speak, the troops are still expanding their base,” he said.

 

A top DSS officer also confirmed that personnel had arrived in the area.

 

“I’m aware the team landed on Wednesday, and some other personnel will join them,” the officer said.

 

The August 21 attacks occurred in several communities during Friday Islamic prayers and were suspected to have been carried out by the Lakurawa and Boko Haram terrorist groups.

 

The attackers reportedly invaded Kpenya Mosque in the Dekara district of Borgu, as well as Gidan-Zana and Kpenya villages. Other communities were also attacked, with several residents killed, others abducted and houses set ablaze.

 

Shiyaki said troops had been assisting survivors with the mass burial of victims whose bodies were recovered from the affected communities.

 

“Military vehicles are also being used to transport displaced persons who fled to neighbouring Babanna, which currently serves as a central refuge for survivors,” he added.

 

He alleged that the insurgents had lived undetected among residents for an extended period, with some civilians allegedly helping them evade security patrols.

 

“They’ve been living with those people for a long time, and those people have been hiding them. But they believe they are good people.

 

“Each time any military personnel want to do a patrol there, they will hide those people in their houses,” he said.

 

A senior security officer confirmed that the Defence Headquarters had deployed personnel to Borgu following the President’s directive.

 

“Personnel were deployed immediately after the President spoke on it on Monday. They are already in Niger and Borgu, to be specific.

 

“The first thing is to gather intelligence and know what is on the ground. A rescue operation is not done in a hurry. This is just a process, but I can assure you that the victims will be rescued,” the officer said.

 

The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed that the rescue operation had commenced, stressing that the safety of the abducted residents remained the priority.

 

“If you rush it, you might end up losing the lives of these victims you are trying to rescue. So, it is not about timing, but how prepared we are. It is about analysing all the strategies we need to put in place to rescue these victims unhurt,” Abiodun said.

 

According to him, at least five communities were affected by the attacks, leaving residents displaced and properties destroyed.

 

Shiyaki identified the affected communities as Mayanga, Dekara, Kapubara, Gbagbazhi and Yagba, saying the attackers moved from one community to another, killing residents, abducting others and burning houses.

 

The state Commissioner for Information, Obed Nuhu, had earlier disclosed that the terrorists had not contacted the government, while reports indicated that some of the abducted residents could be held in the Kainji National Park.

 

The Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adamu, said the forest reserve was likely to be the first destination for the abductors.

 

“When such incidents occur, what normally happens is that they (kidnappers) take them (victims) around and later disperse them and then hold them at a place to negotiate. So, it could be one, two or four groups holding them.

 

“They are most likely inside there. From there, they can lead you all the way into the Benin Republic. They can lead you back to Kebbi State, from there to Niger Republic.

 

“But I don’t think that is the intention. They don’t intend to take them to either Benin Republic or Niger. So, they are most likely inside the reserve while they are waiting to negotiate their release,” Adamu said.

 

A recently retired military intelligence officer called for the deployment of tactical teams to the forest reserve.

 

“They will still be in the forest. That is their base. The security and tactical teams should man strategic locations,” the officer said.

 

The old Borgu area of Niger State is reportedly home to several armed ideological and non-ideological groups, including Lakurawa, Mamuda, Answaru, a faction of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, the official name of Boko Haram, and various bandit groups.

 

It was also learnt that residents of the affected communities had previously been advised to relocate because of the growing terrorist activities in the area.

 

A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the communities were regarded as a danger zone because of the presence of terrorist groups.

 

“That area is very dangerous. The government last year informed the people of the place that they were prone to attack and that they should relocate from the place.

 

“Kainji National Park is now the hub of the terrorists, and they are very close to Borgu. In fact, the terrorists are all over that place. So, the government advised the people to leave. It is unfortunate that these things are happening despite warnings,” the official said.

 

The police spokesman, Abiodun, confirmed that residents had previously been warned about the presence of armed groups and advised to relocate to allow security agencies to conduct a clearance operation.

 

He said the operation could not be carried out because some residents refused to leave their communities.

 

“It will be very difficult to have the deployment of security teams in all these villages around Borgu Local Government Area, which stretches to Agwara. Government, over time, had declared that people should move away from these places to allow a clearance operation to be carried out.

 

“When this is done, and we ensure that these locations are safe, that is when people can now be asked to come back to these communities,” he said.

 

Abiodun said residents’ attachment to their ancestral homes and farming activities had made relocation difficult but stressed that their safety remained paramount.

 

“Those places are dangerous because of the presence of these terrorist groups. Why don’t you allow security to do our intelligence work, then when we declare that these areas are safe, people can come back to continue their activities?” he added.

 

The latest attack is the fourth reported mass abduction in Niger State within nine months, highlighting the worsening security challenges confronting communities in the state.

 

On November 21, 2025, terrorists attacked St Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers.

 

On January 3, terrorists attacked Kasuwan Daji/Demo in Borgu Local Government Area, killing at least 30 people and abducting 57 residents.

 

On February 14, at least 176 women and children were abducted from Konkoso, Tungan-Makeri and Pissa in Borgu Local Government Area by suspected Boko Haram members.

 

On April 7, bandits invaded Baga community in Shiroro Local Government Area, killing five villagers and abducting at least 150 residents.

 

The latest incident has renewed concerns over the spread of mass abductions beyond isolated attacks on individuals and small groups, with Kwara and Oyo states also recording similar incidents.

 

In Kwara State, at least 176 women and children from Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area were abducted on February 3 and regained their freedom after spending six months in captivity.

 

In Oyo State, Boko Haram terrorists attacked three schools in Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area, on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers.