- An armed group posted a video on Facebook and WhatsApp showing what residents said were about 600 women, children and older people abducted during an attack on a mosque in the state.
- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered the military and other security agencies on Tuesday to launch an immediate rescue operation after scores of people were kidnapped by gunmen in north-central Niger State last week.
- President Tinubu condemned the attack and directed the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security and intelligence agencies to coordinate efforts to rescue the abducted victims.
- He further directed the Service Chiefs to provide regular briefings on the rescue operation until all those abducted are accounted for.
- Reaffirming the government’s resolve to protect lives and communities, President Tinubu declared that acts of terror would not intimidate the country.
- In its first public comments on the incident, the presidency condemned the attack as cowardly and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
- Tinubu said in a statement: "Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities and uphold the sanctity of human life."
- He extended condolences to the families of those killed and assured relatives of the abducted that the government would not relent until their loved ones were safely rescued.
- The directive was contained in a statement signed on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the military and security agencies to launch an immediate rescue operation following a mass kidnapping in Niger State, where an armed group reportedly abducted around 600 individuals during an attack on a mosque.2
“Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to justice.6
The President extended condolences to the families of the victims, assuring them that “You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you.”
The attack, which has not been independently verified, is among the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria's recent history, highlighting the ongoing crisis of mass abductions for ransom by armed groups in the region.
Tinubu has directed security chiefs to provide regular updates on the rescue efforts, reaffirming that “Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life.”
The Federal Government has pledged support for recovery and security reinforcement in affected communities, as mass abductions have become increasingly common in northwestern and north-central Nigeria, where criminal gangs frequently raid villages and schools.
“The armed group posted a video on Facebook and WhatsApp showing about 600 women, children and older people abducted during the mosque attack. Reuters could not independently verify the figure, but if confirmed it would rank among Nigeria's largest mass kidnappings in recent years.”
Polity.org.za
