Niger Mosque Attacks: 14 Members of My Family in Captivity — Student
Muhibbat Abass says father, siblings and other relatives were among hundreds allegedly abducted during August attacks
Muhibbat Abass, a student of Akram’s College of Health Science and Technology in Niger State, says 14 members of her family remain in captivity following attacks on four Juma’at mosques in Borgu Local Government Area.
Speaking to Daily Trust, Abass said those allegedly abducted include her father, grandfather, siblings and other relatives. She said the incident has left her family traumatised and forced her and her younger brother to stop attending school because their father, who normally paid their fees and provided for them, is among those missing.
The attacks occurred on August 21, 2026, in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana, while worshippers were observing Friday prayers. A video later emerged showing hundreds of people being held captive, with families identifying relatives among those seen in the footage.
According to Abass, the 14 members of her family in captivity are Abass Saleh, Rasheedat Abass, Abubakar Sarkin Yamma, Hajarat Shehu, Lamrat Shehu, Jamiu Shehu, Maryam Idris, Adama Adamu, Rukayat Adamu, Hudu Adamu, Rahinat Ibrahim, Hindu Yahya, Barakat Ibrahim and Swaibu Yahaya.
She said the family had lost virtually everything during the attacks, alleging that homes were burnt and belongings, including cash and motorcycles, were stolen.
“We are appealing to the federal and Niger State governments to rescue our people. While our loved ones are in the forest, we are in trauma because we don’t know their condition.”
The number of people abducted remains disputed. Affected communities released a list containing the names of 547 allegedly abducted worshippers, while Niger State officials have given substantially lower figures. Reuters reported that residents later estimated that close to 700 people could still be in captivity, although the figure could not be independently verified.
Other residents interviewed by Daily Trust also reported deaths and abductions among their relatives. One resident, Abdulkadir Idris, said he saw his father among the people shown in the video released by the attackers.
The Niger State Government has said it is working with security agencies to rescue those abducted. The police also said tactical teams, counter-terrorism units and the police air wing had been deployed to support the rescue operation.
