The Northern Senators Forum has called for the immediate and safe release of worshippers and residents abducted during an attack on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The forum also urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and strengthen security measures across Niger State and other parts of the North-central region.
Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday following the attack on Kpenya Mosque and neighbouring communities.
The attack reportedly occurred on Friday, August 22, in Gidan-Zana and Kpenya villages in the Dekara District of Borgu Local Government Area.
Yar’Adua condemned the incident, expressing concern over reports that hundreds of residents and worshippers were abducted while others were killed.
He described the attack as an assault on innocent worshippers and vulnerable rural communities, while commiserating with the government and people of Niger State as well as families affected by the incident.
The senator particularly condemned the targeting of worshippers in a mosque, describing it as a cowardly act and an affront to humanity and religious faith.
He also expressed concern over reports that the attackers planted landmines around the affected communities and allegedly carried out further abductions to use victims as bargaining tools.
Yar’Adua called on the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies to intensify ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted persons.
“We therefore call on the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and all relevant security agencies to intensify ongoing rescue operations and ensure the immediate and safe release of all those abducted,” he said.
The NSF chairman further appealed to the Federal Government to provide immediate relief and medical assistance to affected communities.
He also urged authorities to deploy additional security personnel to protect residents and communities located around the area.
Yar’Adua said the scale of the attack required a comprehensive response beyond conventional security operations.
He called for an urgent reassessment of the security architecture in Niger State and the wider North-central region to prevent similar attacks and improve the protection of rural communities.
