Attackers reportedly storm Dekara and surrounding communities, with survivor alleging killings and Lakurawa involvement.
Bandits have reportedly invaded Dekara community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of residents shortly after Friday prayers.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community between 2:00pm and 2:30pm on Friday, targeting residents who had gathered at a mosque for the Juma’at prayer.
The Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Nasiru Abdullahi, confirmed the attack, saying Dekara, the largest community in the area, was among several communities affected.
He said Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida and Masata were also attacked, but noted that the exact number of people abducted had yet to be established.
Abdullahi said the local government was working with security agencies to secure a swift response, rescue those abducted and restore peace to the affected communities.
As of the time of filing the report, the number of missing residents could not be independently confirmed as families and community members were still trying to establish who had been taken.
A survivor, however, alleged that the attackers were members of the Lakurawa group and claimed that some residents were killed during the assault.
“Soon after finishing the normal Friday prayer, the armed group of Lakurawa, in their hundreds, wielding guns, knives and machetes, began to attack us,” the survivor said.
“They slaughtered some of our people, saying we are not practising the true teachings of Islam.”
When contacted, the Niger State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to provide information on the incident but had not done so as of the time of filing the report.
The attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in communities around the Kainji Lake axis, with residents calling for urgent security intervention and efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted.