Gunmen have abducted an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers in communities within Borgu LGA of Niger state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that the incident occurred on Friday shortly after the conclusion of the weekly Juma’at prayer at the central mosque in Dekara community.

According to security sources and eyewitnesses cited by the publication, worshippers were also abducted from Gidan Zana, Masaka, and Sabon Gida communities.

Among those reportedly taken by the armed assailants was the 90-year-old father of the district head of Dekara.

Wasiu Abiodun, police public relations officer of the Niger state command, confirmed the incident and added that security agencies had mobilised personnel for a rescue operation.

Abiodun said no death had been recorded in connection with the incident, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

He, however, said difficult terrain and poor road conditions were hampering the movement of security personnel responding to the incident.

He said a collapsed bridge linking the affected communities with the Borgu LGA headquarters had further slowed the deployment of security forces and the rescue operation.

The police spokesman said security agencies were working to overcome the logistical challenges and intensify the search for the abducted worshippers.

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