President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the military and other security agencies to launch an immediate operation to rescue worshippers reportedly abducted during an attack on a mosque in Niger State.
The attack occurred last Friday in Dekara village, with local residents reporting that hundreds of women, children and elderly people were taken by armed men.
Authorities are still working to determine the exact number of people abducted. However, residents have claimed that about 600 people may be missing following the attack.
Video Shows Alleged Kidnap Victims
An armed group reportedly released a video on Monday showing large groups of people seated in a forested area surrounded by armed men.
Several children could reportedly be heard crying in the background.
The footage and the number of people shown in it could not be independently verified.
If the reported figure of 600 abductees is confirmed, the incident would rank among the largest mass kidnappings recorded in Nigeria in recent years.
An official from the affected Borgu district also said 30 people were killed during the attack and buried on Sunday.
The official, who spoke anonymously because she was not authorised to speak to the media, said communities including Dakera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida were affected.
Tinubu Vows to Protect Nigerians
The presidency condemned the attack and described it as cowardly, while promising that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Tinubu said Nigeria would not be intimidated by terrorism and pledged that the government would protect communities and defend the lives of citizens.
The President also directed security chiefs to provide regular updates on efforts to rescue the abducted persons and establish the whereabouts of everyone taken during the attack.
Thousands Flee to Benin
Abubakar Umar, the traditional head of Dakera community, said at least 2,000 residents fled into neighbouring Benin following the attack.
However, Niger State Commissioner for Information, Obed Nana, said authorities were still working to verify reports concerning the number of missing people.
Nana cautioned against speculation, noting that the information remained sensitive.
The latest incident comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of northwestern and north-central Nigeria, where armed criminal groups have increasingly carried out mass abductions targeting communities, schools, highways and other vulnerable locations.
Security agencies have now been tasked with intensifying efforts to locate and rescue the abducted worshippers and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
