By David Lawani
The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for tighter security around places of worship, particularly during Friday Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services, following the abduction of worshippers and other residents in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
The call was made by the state CAN Chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, during his homily at St. Michael Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, on Sunday.
The appeal followed the abduction of several worshippers and residents from communities in Borgu LGA during Jumu’at prayers on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Suspected terrorists were reported to have invaded communities in the Dekara District, including Kpenya, Gidan-Zana and Sabon-Gida, abducting several residents, among them Muslim worshippers taken during prayers.
A video that emerged after the attack showed scores of captives, including women, children and elderly persons, being led into the forest.
Bishop Yohanna said the latest incident underscored the urgent need for a permanent and formidable security presence across the Borgu Emirate, comprising Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, to protect vulnerable rural communities.
“The whole of Borgu Emirate, which includes Agwara and Borgu LGAs, needs a strong and permanent security presence so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted,” he said.
The CAN chairman condemned the attack on Muslim worshippers, describing assaults on any religious centre as an attack on the collective safety and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.
“For us, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the wider community.
“As a body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities.”
Yohanna said churches and Christians across Niger State had intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted victims.
He urged residents to continue praying for the captives and security personnel involved in efforts to rescue them.
“We are praying, and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already,” he said.
The cleric also commended the Federal and Niger State Governments, as well as security agencies, for the efforts deployed towards rescuing the victims.
Meanwhile, the Northern Senators’ Forum has expressed concern over reports that the terrorists were allegedly planting landmines around the affected areas while holding the abducted residents as bargaining chips.
In response to the attack, the Federal and Niger State Governments have mobilised security and emergency resources, while President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate military-led coordinated operation to track the attackers and secure the release of the victims.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, have deployed tactical teams, counter-terrorism operatives, the Special Intervention Squad and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel to support the rescue operation.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, who described the attack as “barbaric,” assured residents that the state government was working with security and intelligence agencies to tackle the crisis.
However, the state Ministry of Information said in its latest update that contact had yet to be established with the abductors.
