Hundreds of people remain captive more than a month after a series of attacks carried out on August 21 in several communities in the Borgu district, Niger State, in central-west Nigeria. Residents demonstrated in New Bussa to demand an acceleration of rescue operations.
Community representatives estimate that nearly 700 people are still missing or held by the kidnappers. However, this figure has not been confirmed by an official count, and Nigerian authorities have not released a consolidated report.
A mobilization in response to the lack of news
The victims are mainly women, children, and the elderly, according to testimonies collected from the affected communities. Several localities were attacked in a coordinated manner, causing population displacement and the temporary closure of economic activities.
President Bola Tinubu had called on the security forces to accelerate the release operations. One month later, the residents of Borgu say they do not see sufficient progress and are also demanding an accurate census of the missing persons.
The crisis now affects daily life in the area. Residents say they are limiting their trips to markets and health centers for fear of new attacks, while some businesses have closed during protests held in New Bussa.
The kidnapping in Borgu is part of a series of attacks and abductions that continue to weigh on several regions of Nigeria, where security forces are simultaneously engaged against armed groups, criminal networks, and various insurgencies.
