An armed group abducted roughly 600 women, children, and elderly people during an attack on a mosque in Dekera village, Borgu Local Government Area of north-central Niger State, Nigeria, on August 21, 2026, during Friday (Juma’at) prayers [1, 2, 3]. The mosque is also known as Kpenya Mosque.

Local officials reported that 30 people were killed during the attack. The victims were buried on August 23, 2026 [1]. Following the assault, about 2,000 people fled the area and crossed into the neighboring Benin Republic [1].

President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies on August 25 to launch an immediate rescue operation to recover the abducted worshippers. President Tinubu said, "Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities and uphold the sanctity of human life" [1, 2].

Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nana said a joint security operation is underway to track the attackers and rescue the abductees. Nana stated, "A joint security operation has been deployed to assess the situation, track the attackers, and facilitate the rescue of the abducted worshippers" [1, 3].

Amnesty International warned of the growing threat of mass abductions in northern Nigeria and urged urgent action. The group said, "The Nigerian authorities must act urgently to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted worshippers" [3]. According to Amnesty, between January and April 2026, at least 1,100 people were abducted in mass kidnappings across northern Nigeria, and survivors have reported severe abuses including torture, starvation, sexual violence, and amputation [3].

There is some disagreement over the exact number abducted in the mosque attack. While local residents and an armed group video claimed about 600 people were taken, Amnesty International and local authorities suggested that the figure could be more than 80 [1, 2, 3].

This attack follows a prior assault on worshippers in Ungushi community, Sokoto State, on August 18, 2026, where at least 32 people were killed during Friday prayers [3].

The 30 victims from the Niger State mosque attack were buried on August 23 and the rescue operation ordered by President Tinubu began on August 25. Security agencies continue their efforts to recover those abducted and confront the assailants.