In the remote parts of Niger state, militants launched a coordinated attack on four villages on 3 August 2026, killing at least 40 people and abducting up to 500 residents according to local witnesses. The gunmen, dressed in military‑style clothing, attacked villages of Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida and Masaka during mosque prayers, and left improvised explosive devices as they forced people into a nearby forest.
The attackers made the first of the group’s public displays by uploading a video on social media showing the abducted villagers sitting in the forest. A local youth leader, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that he could recognize a number of people, including an elderly man who is regarded as a grandfatherly figure in Gidan Zana.
In response to the attack and the viral footage, President Bola Tinubu ordered a nationwide manhunt for the armed kidnappers. In a statement issued by spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the killings and abductions, issued condolences to the victims’ families, and vowed that those responsible would not “go scot‑free.”
Local officials say the attackers planted explosives that detonated on a teenage boy who attempted to escape, emphasizing the brutality of the raid. While no ransom demands have been reported, the incident underscores the growing presence of jihadist and criminal groups in the Borgu area, which borders Kebbi, Kwara and the neighboring Benin Republic.
Earlier this month, 145 people were rescued after being abducted from four other villages in the same region, showing the authorities’ ongoing efforts to locate missing persons. The tragic events in Niger state are part of a broader pattern of violence that has threatened community safety and stability across north‑western Nigeria.
