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Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the national government to urgently address the mass abductions and killings in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Obi made the call in a post on X on Thursday, following attacks on communities in Borgu, including Dekara, Gidan-Zana, Kpenya and Sabon-Gida, where worshippers were reportedly abducted during Juma’at prayers.
“I am deeply disturbed by the reports of the mass abduction of Nigerians in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, following attacks on communities including Dekara and the abduction of worshippers during Juma’at prayers,” Obi wrote.
The chairman of Borgu LGA, Mohammed Abdullahi, said more than 60 people were abducted across four communities and that close to 30 people were killed.
Obi acknowledged the uncertainty around the figure, saying, “The exact number is still being verified.”
He added that reports indicated that “about 30 people may have been killed.”
The attacks occurred on August 21, when suspected terrorists invaded communities in Borgu and abducted worshippers during Friday prayers.
Police initially said an unspecified number of people had been taken and reported that no deaths had been recorded at the time.
The police also said difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge connecting the affected communities to the Borgu local government headquarters hampered the initial security response.
Obi described the attack on worshippers as a critical test of the government’s responsibility to protect citizens.
“The fact that Nigerians can be attacked in broad daylight, in their place of worship, abducted in such numbers and taken into the forests should shake the conscience of every Nigerian and compel urgent action from government,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as the political class’s focus on the next election while Nigerians face insecurity.
“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost.”
Obi also linked the difficulties security personnel faced during the rescue effort to Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, particularly the collapsed bridge in Borgu.
The Niger State Government has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted worshippers, while President Bola Tinubu has also ordered security agencies to mount an immediate rescue operation.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has separately called for the immediate rescue of more than 60 worshippers reportedly abducted during Juma’at prayers and condemned the attacks as an assault on the right of citizens to worship without fear.
Obi expressed solidarity with the victims, their families and the Niger State Government.
“I stand with the Niger State Government, the good people of Niger State and the families of those abducted and killed,” he said.
“We must bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them.”
Worrisome Abduction Story From Borgu, Niger State
I am deeply disturbed by the reports of the mass abduction of Nigerians in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, following attacks on communities including Dekara and the abduction of worshippers during Juma’at prayers.…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 27, 2026
