Muhibbat Abass, a student at Akram’s College of Health Science and Technology in Niger State, disclosed that her father, grandfather, siblings, and other relatives were among those taken by terrorists during the Juma’at prayer attacks on August 21. The attacks targeted four mosques in Borgu Local Government Area, resulting in the abduction of over 500 worshippers, including women and children. Muhibbat said she had stopped schooling due to trauma and lack of financial support.
The terrorists released a video two days after the attack, claiming to have abducted 500 worshippers and asking victims’ relatives to identify their loved ones. Families later confirmed the video, identifying their relatives among those shown. The affected communities released a list of 547 worshippers allegedly abducted, contradicting the figure given by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. Bago had described reports of over 500 abductees as “social media hype.”
Governor Bago stated that only 63 people were kidnapped, with three killed and 14 recovered. However, the chairman of Borgu LGA, Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, also downplayed the number of abductees, saying it was “a little above 60.” The affected communities rejected the figures, releasing a list containing the names of the abductees. Muhibbat identified the 14 members of her family in captivity, including her father, grandfather, and siblings.
The abduction has had a devastating impact on Muhibbat and her family. She said they had been in a difficult situation since the incident, with some people slaughtered like goats, houses burnt down, and belongings stolen. Muhibbat and her younger brother had to stop attending school due to trauma and lack of support. She appealed to the federal and Niger State governments to rescue her people.
Other families affected by the attacks also shared their experiences. Abdulkadir Idris said his father was among the worshippers abducted from the Dekara mosque during Juma’at prayer. He later saw his father in the video released by the terrorists. Idris said 39 people were slaughtered, with their bodies recovered and buried, while eight other bodies were discovered but could not be identified.
Alhaji Zubairu Umar, Talban Dekara, said he lost members of his immediate and extended families during the attack. He witnessed the burial of those killed and said 88 people were kidnapped from Dekera, while 347 people were taken from Gidan-Zana. Zubairu Umar said 15 women and young girls were kidnapped from his family house, and his father, son-in-law, and others were also taken.
The attacks have left many families in trauma, with livelihoods and assets destroyed. Almost every family in Dekara and other communities was affected, according to Zubairu Mohammed. He said his father’s younger brother and others were kidnapped, while two of his father’s younger brothers were slaughtered. The families are appealing to the government to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still being held.
Key points
- 14 family members of a Nigerian student were among over 500 worshippers abducted by terrorists during mosque attacks in Niger State.
- The affected communities released a list of 547 worshippers allegedly abducted, contradicting the figure given by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
- The abduction has had a devastating impact on the families, with many left in trauma, and livelihoods and assets destroyed.
