Worshippers Abducted During Friday Prayers in Niger Mosque Attack; Amnesty Demands Rescue

The tranquility of Friday prayers at Kpenya Mosque in Niger State was shattered on August 21st when suspected terrorists stormed the place of worship, abducting an unspecified number of worshippers. The attack, which occurred in the Dekara District of Borgu Local Government Area, has sparked urgent calls from Amnesty International for the Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.

Residents, however, paint a more alarming picture, claiming that more than 80 people may have been taken. Amnesty International highlighted the particular brutality of this incident. They noted that victims were abducted while observing their prayers. The organization also pointed to chilling reports from survivors of previous mass abductions. These reports detailed experiences of torture, starvation, sexual violence, and forced participation in atrocities.

The Niger State Government, through its Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nana, confirmed the attack. He stated that the incident took place in the Gidan-Zana and Kpenya communities. Some residents were forced to flee to nearby areas as the attackers carried out the abductions. The government acknowledged that efforts are underway to establish the exact number of individuals taken.

Governor Mohammed Bago has directed security agencies to intensify their search and rescue operations. A joint security operation has been deployed to assess the situation, track the perpetrators, and facilitate the safe return of the abducted worshippers. Commissioner Nana stated that the government won't withhold operational details. They won't do this to avoid compromising the rescue efforts. He also appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified figures.

Instead, they should provide credible information to the security agencies.

Amnesty International has also urged President Bola Tinubu's administration to confront the escalating problem of mass abductions plaguing northern Nigeria. The organization estimates that at least 1,100 people have been abducted between January and April 2026. They caution, however, that these figures might underestimate the true scale of the crisis.

This Kpenya attack follows closely on the heels of another devastating incident just a week prior. In Sokoto State, at least 32 people were killed, including the Imam, Malam Aliyu, during Friday prayers at a mosque in the Ungushi community of Kebbe Local Government Area. These recurrent attacks underscore the severe vulnerability of rural communities in northern Nigeria.

The Borgu-Kainji corridor, in particular, has been a hotspot for such violence. Reports from PREMIUM TIMES detail a series of attacks in the area. This includes an incident in January where gunmen killed at least 35 people and abducted several others, primarily women and children, in Kasuwan Daji. Following that attack, Governor Bago had ordered residents in communities around the Kainji Lake area to evacuate. This signaled potential military operations against terrorist groups in the surrounding forests.

Further incidents include attacks on Feyi, Tungan Makeri, and Nkpaso communities in February. These resulted in approximately 26 deaths and the burning of several houses. In June, suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Pissa. This led to an unspecified number of residents killed, others abducted, and houses set ablaze. The attackers also issued threats to neighboring communities like Kabe and Sukumba.

In the same month, armed individuals, believed by residents and analysts to be linked to jihadist groups operating in the Kainji forest, were reported to have held a gathering. They delivered a sermon in Zugurma, a community near the national park.

The continued assaults in the Borgu-Kainji corridor have intensified concerns about the safety of civilians, travelers, and worshippers. Amnesty International is calling for the Nigerian government to strengthen preventative measures. They also want the government to ensure the protection of civilians and hold those responsible for these abductions accountable. Additionally, they urge the government to ensure victims and their families receive proper assistance and remedies.