The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the abduction of Muslim worshippers by gunmen in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Gatekeepers News reports that gunmen reportedly abducted an unspecified number of worshippers in communities across the LGA last Friday, shortly after the Jumu’at prayer at the Central Mosque in Dekara.
In a statement, Abbas Jimoh, public affairs officer of the NSCIA, described the attack as “heinous and barbaric”.
Jimoh said the council was “deeply disturbed and traumatised” by the attack on four communities in Borgu — Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara.
According to him, the attackers unleashed violence on the communities, killing, injuring and abducting scores of residents, including Muslims observing the Friday prayers.
“The attack on Dekara was particularly horrifying as local officials and residents said the terrorists entered the Central Mosque while Muslims were observing their Jumu’at prayers and abducted more than 60 people,” the statement reads.
“Reports further indicate that about 30 persons were killed, while many others sustained injuries, some of them reportedly life-threatening, with dozens of victims still in captivity.”
The council described the invasion of the mosque and abduction of worshippers during Jumu’at prayers as an attack on both innocent Nigerians and the sanctity of religious worship.
“The NSCIA considers the deliberate invasion of a mosque during Jumu’at prayers and the abduction of worshippers a heinous assault not only on innocent Nigerians but also a grievous attack on the sanctity of worship and the fundamental right of citizens to practise their faith without fear,” it said.
The council also argued that the attack challenged the narrative that insecurity in parts of the country is exclusively targeted at Christians.
“This horrendous savagery against innocent Muslims observing the Jumu’ah prayer also points to the factual error that the insecurity in parts of the country is genocidal against Christians, which would hinder the much needed collective efforts to tackle the scourge,” the statement said.
NSCIA recalls recent hostage rescue
The council said the latest attack occurred barely three weeks after one of the country’s largest hostage-rescue operations in recent years.
It recalled that Nigerian security forces reportedly rescued 308 abducted persons from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5.
The victims included 163 people abducted from Woro in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State and 145 others from communities in Borgu LGA of Niger State, including Kasuwan Daji, Konkonso and Pissa.
According to the NSCIA, the rescue demonstrated what security agencies could achieve when provided with adequate resources, intelligence and coordination.
However, it warned that renewed attacks raised concerns about the sustainability of those gains.
The council urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent, intelligence-driven security system, review security arrangements across Niger and Kwara states and adjoining border communities, and mobilise resources to rescue those still in captivity.
It also called for intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering, coordinated security operations, adequate equipment for security personnel, and stronger cooperation among governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local communities.
“Furthermore, the NSCIA calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and all relevant security agencies to treat the Borgu attacks as a national emergency requiring immediate and coordinated intervention,” the statement reads.
“The Council also enjoins the Muslim Ummah in Niger State and the entire country to remain steadfast in their faith. Let us be resolute and not be subdued by terror.”
