Niger State residents protest mass kidnappings in Borgu

Residents of Nigeria’s Niger State held protests in New Bussa on Monday to demand the release of hundreds of people abducted during mass attacks in the Borgu district on August 21. While local community leaders estimate that between 600 and 700 captives—primarily women, children, and the elderly—remain in captivity, authorities have not yet confirmed a specific number.

The attacks targeted communities such as Gidan-Zana, Kpenya, and Dikera. Survivors reported that an armed group, identified by some researchers as Lakurawa, attacked worshippers during Friday prayers using rifles, knives, and machetes. The Lakurawa group has been linked by security experts to Islamic State affiliates active in the Sahel region.

The ongoing insecurity has caused significant local disruption, including the closure of shops and the blocking of the Mokwa-New Bussa road. Although President Bola Tinubu ordered rescue operations following the initial attacks, the victims have not been recovered. The protests increase political pressure on the government to address rising insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.