Hundreds Still Captive One Month After Niger Mass Kidnap

A month after gunmen stormed communities in Niger State and abducted hundreds of residents, families are still waiting for their loved ones to come home.

Residents from Dekara and neighbouring communities in Borgu district say between 600 and 700 people, mostly women, children and elderly residents, were taken during the August 21 attacks.

On Monday, protesters gathered at the New Bussa local government headquarters demanding action.

One Month, No Rescue

President Bola Tinubu ordered a rescue operation after the attacks, but residents say none of the abducted victims has been recovered.

The actual number of captives also remains uncertain. A local youth leader estimated almost 700, while residents are demanding a proper headcount to establish the exact number.

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The uncertainty itself is part of the story.

These are not simply numbers missing from a security report. They are mothers, children, farmers, traders and elderly people whose families have spent weeks waiting for information.

The affected communities also say the kidnappings have disrupted markets and access to healthcare.

Borgu sits close to Nigeria’s border with Benin, adding a cross-border dimension to the security challenge.

For ValidViewNetwork, the question is no longer only who carried out the kidnapping? It is also this: How does a mass abduction involving hundreds of Nigerians remain unresolved for an entire month?

The government says security forces have been mobilised. Families now want results.