Niger State, Nigeria (Running Africa) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate rescue operation after gunmen attacked communities in Niger State and abducted scores of residents, with local accounts suggesting as many as 600 women, children and elderly people may have been taken.
The attack, which occurred last week, affected the communities of Dakera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida in Borgu, close to Nigeria’s border with Benin.
A local district official said 30 people were killed, while authorities are still working to establish the exact number of people abducted.
Tinubu condemned the assault as an act of terrorism and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
Tinubu Orders Rescue of Niger State Kidnap Victims
The president instructed Nigeria’s security agencies to launch an immediate operation following reports of the mass abduction.
Tinubu also ordered officials to provide regular updates on the rescue effort as authorities attempt to determine where the abductees have been taken.
The scale of the kidnapping remains unclear.
Residents say around 600 people were abducted, primarily women, children and elderly residents. Authorities have not independently confirmed that figure and are continuing to verify the number of missing people.
If confirmed, the abduction would rank among Nigeria’s largest recent mass kidnappings.
30 Reported Killed in Borgu Attack
A Borgu district official said at least 30 people were killed during the violence.
The attack reportedly involved a mosque and spread across Dakera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida, causing widespread panic among surrounding communities.
Tinubu described the assault as terrorism and said those responsible must be pursued.
The attack has again drawn attention to the vulnerability of remote communities where security forces can face significant challenges responding quickly to large armed groups.
Up to 600 Women, Children and Elderly Reported Abducted
Local residents have put the number of people taken at approximately 600, although the figure remains subject to official verification.
The reported profile of the victims — including large numbers of women, children and elderly people — has intensified concerns about their safety.
Mass kidnappings have become a persistent security challenge across parts of northern and central Nigeria, where armed groups frequently abduct civilians and demand ransom payments.
Determining the number of missing residents is likely to be an important first step as security agencies organize search and rescue operations.
Niger State Attack Forces Thousands to Flee Into Benin
The violence has also triggered displacement across Nigeria’s international border.
Traditional leaders say at least 2,000 people fled into neighboring Benin Republic following the attack.
Borgu’s proximity to the border creates additional security challenges, with remote terrain and cross-border movement potentially complicating efforts to track armed groups.
The displacement also means authorities must address a developing humanitarian situation alongside the search for those abducted.
Attack Raises Questions Over Security in Nigeria’s Border Regions
Security experts say the daylight nature of the attack highlights serious weaknesses in security coverage across remote parts of Nigeria.
Armed groups can exploit large rural areas, difficult terrain and limited state presence to move between communities and evade security forces.
Border regions can present an additional challenge because attackers may operate across territories where coordination between neighboring countries is required.
The scale of the latest raid is likely to increase pressure on the government to demonstrate that security forces can respond effectively to mass attacks in isolated communities.
Mass Kidnappings Remain Major Security Challenge for Nigeria
The Niger State attack is the latest in a series of mass abductions for ransom in Nigeria, particularly across northern and central regions.
Kidnapping networks have targeted villages, schools, travelers and places of worship, turning abduction into one of the country’s most persistent security threats.
The crisis has continued despite military operations and efforts to expand Nigeria’s security forces.
For Tinubu’s government, the immediate priority is finding those taken in Borgu.
With 30 people reported dead, hundreds potentially abducted and at least 2,000 residents displaced, the Niger State attack represents another major test of Nigeria’s ability to protect vulnerable communities and disrupt armed groups operating across the country’s remote border regions.
