At least 2,000 residents of Dekera District in Niger State have fled into neighbouring Benin Republic following deadly attacks by gunmen in which hundreds of people were reportedly abducted during raids on mosques in the area.
The attacks, which occurred last Friday, have triggered fear and mass displacement among residents of communities in Borgu Local Government Area, with many seeking safety across the border.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over the worsening wave of kidnappings and attacks targeting rural communities across northern Nigeria.
According to estimates, at least 1,100 people were abducted across Nigeria between January and April 2026. However, the actual number of victims could be significantly higher, as many incidents are reportedly unreported or poorly documented.
Victims of such attacks are often subjected to severe abuse, including torture, starvation, rape, amputation and other forms of violence. In some cases, abductees are reportedly forced to witness or participate in atrocities.
Communities affected by the attacks have also endured repeated assaults by armed groups for several years, leaving residents facing persistent insecurity, displacement and loss of livelihoods.
Borgu has continued to experience attacks, with the latest violence described as an unprecedented tragedy involving killings and large-scale displacement.
The situation has renewed calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian government to urgently strengthen security operations in affected communities, prevent further attacks and ensure the safe rescue of those abducted.
Authorities have also been urged to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the attacks and ensure that suspected perpetrators are prosecuted.
Residents and displaced communities are calling for immediate action, warning that continued insecurity could force more people to abandon their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries.
