Residents in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State staged a protest on Monday demanding the rescue of hundreds of people who remain missing a month after gunmen carried out one of the country’s largest mass kidnappings.
Protesters from Dekara and surrounding communities in Borgu district gathered at the local government headquarters in New Bussa, calling on authorities to secure the release of people abducted during attacks on August 21.
Residents initially said about 600 people, mainly women, children and elderly people, were taken from several communities. Local representatives now estimate that the number still in captivity could be close to 700, although authorities have not confirmed a figure.
Borgu lies near Nigeria’s western border with Benin, around 300 kilometres from Niger State capital Minna.
President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate rescue operation after the attacks, but the captives have yet to be located.
“Security agencies have been mobilised, but we are yet to get any response from them. The government is definitely making efforts to rescue the people,” Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nuhu Nana said.
Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, president of the Borgu Youths Development Association, said communities believed nearly 700 people were now being held by the kidnappers.
The figure could not be independently verified.
Sadauki called for authorities to conduct a head count across affected villages to establish the true number of missing residents.
The abductions have also disrupted daily life across Borgu, with residents saying insecurity has restricted access to markets and healthcare.
Abdulmutallib Dindey, a member of the youth association who joined the protest, said people were struggling to move safely between communities.
Hanifa Konkoso, 26, said shops across Borgu remained closed on Monday despite it normally being a market day as residents observed a shutdown in protest.
“We want the government to take action,” she said, adding that communities would continue pressing authorities to free the captives and restore security.
The protest adds to pressure on the federal government over insecurity ahead of Nigeria’s January 2027 elections.
