Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has clarified the scale of the recent abduction at a Friday mosque in Dakera, saying 63 people were kidnapped by bandits during the incident.
Bago dismissed reports that about 500 people were abducted, describing the figure as an exaggerated claim circulating on social media.
The governor gave the clarification when former governor of the state and Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Sani Bello, visited the Government House to commiserate with the state over recent deaths and security incidents.
According to Bago, 33 worshippers were initially abducted from the mosque, while the bandits seized another 30 people from a market as they fled, bringing the total number of victims to 63.
He said three of the abducted persons had been killed, while 14 others had so far been rescued.
“It was a social media hype. Thirty-three were kidnapped at the mosque, and on their way, they kidnapped an additional 30 in a market, making a total of 63,” Bago said.
“So far, three of those kidnapped were killed and 14 were recovered from them, so we should not be misled by people and the social media.”
Bago acknowledged the worsening security situation in parts of Niger State, particularly Niger North, where communities in areas including Borgu have faced abduction incidents.
He expressed hope that the security challenges would soon be brought under control.
Bello, who was at the Government House to sympathise with the state over the recent incidents, said he would also travel to Borgu to commiserate with the emirate over the abduction.
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