Nigeria Orders Rescue As Mass Kidnapping Exposes Security Gaps

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigerian military and other security agencies to launch an immediate operation to rescue scores of people abducted by gunmen in Niger State.

The directive followed an attack on a mosque in north-central Nigeria last week, during which residents said about 600 women, children, and older people were taken captive. Reuters could not independently verify the figure.

A Borgu district official said 30 people were killed during the attack, with victims from Dakera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida communities buried on Sunday.

Tinubu condemned the attack and directed security chiefs to provide regular updates on efforts to rescue the abductees and account for those taken.

Abubakar Umar, the traditional head of Dakera, said at least 2,000 people fled to neighbouring Benin Republic following the attack.

Security experts described the incident as a major security failure, particularly because the gunmen reportedly operated in broad daylight. They said the attackers’ familiarity with remote border areas and their ability to move across communities and national borders could complicate rescue efforts.

Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nana said authorities were still working to verify the number of missing people.

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common across parts of northwestern and north-central Nigeria.

SOURCE: Reuters