President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security and intelligence agencies to launch an immediate and coordinated operation to rescue Muslim worshippers abducted in Niger State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive followed the abduction of an unspecified number of worshippers by gunmen in communities across Borgu Local Government Area shortly after Friday prayers at a central mosque in Dekara.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the attack and described the perpetrators as enemies of peace and humanity.
The President directed the service chiefs to provide him with regular updates on the rescue operation until all the abducted persons are accounted for.
“You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you,” Tinubu said.
He assured residents of Niger State that the Federal Government would provide additional security and other necessary support to the state government to aid recovery and reinforce security.
The directive comes amid reports of a large-scale abduction in the Borgu area. While the exact number of victims remains unconfirmed, reports citing residents have put the figure at several dozen, while other accounts have claimed hundreds were abducted.
Tinubu also vowed that those responsible for the attack would not go unpunished, stressing that the Federal Government would continue to protect citizens and communities from criminal attacks.
