The Northern Senators Forum has called on the Federal Government to urgently rescue residents abducted during an attack on a mosque and nearby communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The forum also urged the government to deploy more security personnel to the affected areas and review security measures across Niger State and the North-Central region to prevent similar attacks.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the forum’s chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, condemned the attack on Kpenya Mosque and the communities of Gidan-Zana and Kpenya in Dekara District.
The attack reportedly occurred during Jumat prayers when terrorists stormed the mosque at about 2 pm and abducted worshippers.
Women, children and elderly residents were among those reportedly taken away, while some villagers escaped into a nearby forest.
Yar’Adua said the forum was particularly worried by reports that the attackers had planted landmines and abducted more residents to use as bargaining chips.
“This barbaric act has left us deeply shocked and saddened,” he said.
The senator described the targeting of worshippers and vulnerable rural communities as cowardly.
“We, therefore, call on the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and all relevant security agencies to intensify ongoing rescue operations and ensure the immediate and safe release of all those abducted,” he stated.
Yar’Adua also called for urgent relief and medical assistance for affected residents, as well as stronger security around Borgu and other border communities.
Northern senators urge FG to rescue victims abducted in Niger mosque attack