Niger boils as 700 remain in captivity one month after abduction
Residents of Niger State expressed their frustration and fear on Monday as they took to the streets to protest the abduction of hundreds of people, who they allege have been in captivity for a month following a violent attack on several communities.
The demonstration, organized by individuals from Dekara and nearby areas in the Borgu district, centered around the local government headquarters in New Bussa. Protesters demanded the immediate release of the abductees, who were primarily women, children, and the elderly.
Approximately 600 individuals were reportedly kidnapped from the Borgu area during the assault by armed men on August 21. Borgu is located about 300 kilometers from Minna, the state capital, and shares a border with the Republic of Benin.
The protests underscore the mounting pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intensify efforts to combat the escalating insecurity that has afflicted various regions of Nigeria. Although President Tinubu ordered an immediate rescue operation in response to the attacks, the victims have yet to be located.
Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nuhu Nana stated, “Security agencies have been mobilized, but we are yet to get any response from them. The government is definitely making efforts to rescue the people.”
