Protests in Nigeria over the kidnapping of hundreds of people — TimesLIVE

Residents of Niger State in north-central Nigeria have staged a protest a month after armed men attacked several communities in the Borgu area. Locals say that hundreds of kidnapped women, children and elderly people are still being held captive. TimesLIVE reports, citing Reuters.

Demand to release the kidnapped people

Protesters from the Dekara community and neighboring settlements gathered outside the local government building in New Bussa. They demanded that authorities secure the release of those who were kidnapped. According to residents, armed men abducted about 600 people, mostly women, children and elderly people, during the August 21 attack.

Abdullahi Yagaya Sadauki, head of the Borgu Youth Development Association, said communities estimate that nearly 700 people are being held by the kidnappers. Reuters was unable to independently verify this figure. Sadauki called for a count of residents in the villages to determine whether the estimate is accurate.

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Authorities' actions

The Borgu area is located about 300 kilometers from Minna, the state's administrative center, along Nigeria's border with Benin. Following the attacks, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate rescue operation, but the kidnapped people have still not been found.

Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nuhu Nana said security forces had been mobilized, but no response had yet been received from them. Protest participant Abdulmutallib Dindey said residents' access to markets and medical care has been restricted because of the danger. According to 26-year-old Hanifa Konkoso, shops in Borgu were closed even though Monday was market day: residents staged a work stoppage, demanding action from the authorities and the restoration of security.