Key facts
- Hundreds of people were abducted in a coordinated attack on communities in Niger state, Nigeria, on August 22.
- Dozens of residents were killed during the raid.
- Families have had no contact with the kidnappers since the abductions.
Weeks after a mass abduction in northwestern Nigeria, families report no contact from kidnappers and little government action. The August 22 attack on Niger state communities resulted in dozens killed and hundreds, mostly women and children, abducted.
The mass abduction highlights the severe and escalating insecurity in parts of Nigeria, impacting civilian lives and raising concerns about government response ahead of national elections.
Weeks after a mass abduction in northwestern Nigeria, families of the victims are expressing desperation due to a lack of communication from the kidnappers and perceived inaction from the government. The August 22 attack on Dekera village and surrounding communities in Niger state saw dozens killed and an estimated 600 people, primarily women, children, and the elderly, taken captive.
Residents like Isa Zaki, who has ten family members among the abducted, report no contact from the perpetrators since the raid. The attack has exacerbated existing insecurity in the region, leading to the burning of homes and displacement of residents, who are now facing hunger and homelessness amidst the rainy season. Civil servant Habibu Salihu shared the distress of his family, whose sister, her husband, and their three children, including a newborn, were kidnapped, with no news since a video of the hostages was released shortly after the incident.
Authorities have not provided official figures on the number of hostages or fatalities. While President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to secure the release of those abducted, Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated there were no updates to share. Analysts suggest that a breakaway faction of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, typically active in northeastern Nigeria, may be responsible for the attack. Some individuals fleeing the violence have reportedly crossed into neighboring Benin, though numbers are unconfirmed. The ongoing insecurity poses a significant challenge as Nigeria approaches elections next year.