It’s almost a month since armed criminals attacked some communities in Niger State, but there are still hundreds of residents who are missing. Residents from the Borgu area of the state claim that about 600 to 700 people were kidnapped during the attacks of August 21, leaving their families demanding answers.
What Happened in Borgu?
The mass abduction took place on August 21, where armed criminals attacked some communities in the remote Borgu Local Government Area, which is near the border of Nigeria and Benin.
According to the police, the raiders attacked the villages of Gidan-Zana and Kpenya, then stormed Kpenya Mosque where they abducted scores of worshippers who were observing prayers. Early reports indicated that the number of abductees was only a few dozen, but it emerged later that videos showing many more abductees had been released. Many of the captured people were identified by their neighbors.
As Reuters reported on September 22, the residents believe that there are 600 to 700 abductees. While the latter number is unverified, no official number has been released so far. Community leaders believe that a thorough census should be conducted in order to determine how many people have been abducted.
Why Haven’t the Captives Been Freed?
The first problem is the geographical location of Borgu. It is about 300 km away from Minna, the capital of Niger State. Much of the surrounding area comprises bushland and other inaccessible places. As Reuters reported earlier, the familiarity of the kidnappers with the terrain could make any military rescue very challenging.
Security agencies have been activated after the attack. In response, President Bola Tinubu directed an immediate rescue operation. The government of Niger State also stated that it was working in coordination with security agencies in the recovery of the abductees.
Nevertheless, up to September 22, according to Reuters sources, no abductee had yet been recovered. The Commissioner for Information of Niger State, Obed Nuhu Nana, added that security agencies have been activated, but that there has been no concrete outcome.
Residents’ Demands
This lengthy abduction has caused frustration in the area of Borgu. The locals demonstrated at the local government office of New Bussa on September 21, calling for the release of their loved ones.
The insecurity has disturbed normal life. The residents told Reuters that it is hard now to get access to markets and health facilities, as the stores were closed amid the demonstrations.
This incident also brings into focus the more general problem in Nigeria whereby criminal gangs are perpetrating mass abductions in remote areas. This particular incident is significant due to the extent of the abductions and the number of women, children and elderly people who are allegedly among the abductees.
What Happens Now?
It will be essential for the families concerned to establish first of all where the abductees are and what their current state is like. It will also be important to find out how many were abducted and locate the criminals.
As long as the answers to these questions remain unclear, the crisis in Borgu will be far from solved.
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