The Nigerian Army, in coordination with joint security forces, has launched an intensive rescue operation to recover an unspecified number of residents abducted by suspected terrorists in the Dekara District of Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State.
​According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, August 23, 2026, troops were deployed to the area following a series of coordinated attacks on Friday, August 21, 2026.
​The invasion began at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday while residents were observing weekly Juma’at prayers. Suspected terrorists stormed the communities of Gidan-Zana and Kpenya village via the Dekara District.
​During the assault, the armed assailants surrounded the Kpenya Mosque, abducting scores of worshippers, while several others managed to escape into the surrounding forests.
​Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Wasiu Abiodun, told reporters that the command received an official report of the attack around 4:00 PM on Friday.
​”Report received indicated that suspected terrorists invaded Gidan-Zana, Kpenya village via Dekara District, Borgu, and Kpenya Mosque, abducting an unspecified number of persons during prayers,” SP Abiodun stated.
However, developing reports indicate no life was lost, and a joint security detachment has been deployed to the area for assessment and rescue operations.”
​In response to the escalation, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago issued a directive ordering security agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the victims.
​Speaking via an official statement issued in Minna, the Niger State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu, strongly condemned the assault on a place of worship, describing it as an unacceptable breach of public peace.
Security personnel have established screening zones and tracking routes in the surrounding Kainji Lake corridor.
The state government advised residents to avoid unnecessary movements into designated security-sensitive areas and to withhold unverified casualty figures to protect ongoing covert operations.
Chairman of Borgu Local Government Council, Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi, confirmed that local authorities are offering ground intelligence support to assist military units.
​Security authorities have assured the public that further operational updates will be released as military tactical teams push deeper into the forest axis.
