Niger abduction: Identities of 547 Muslim worshippers allegedly taken during prayers revealed

A document obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters has revealed the identities of 547 Muslim worshippers allegedly abducted by terrorists during Juma’at prayers in Niger State on August 21, 2026.

The victims were reportedly taken from Dekara District in Borgu Local Government Area and moved into the vast Kainji Lake National Park forest, where their whereabouts and condition remain unknown as of September 24, according to the document.

The document, described as a “comprehensive list of persons” abducted while observing Juma’at prayers, said the victims came from five communities in the district. Dekara accounted for 88 victims, Kpenya nine, Giagbasso 104, Gbenji 341 and Gbebara five, bringing the total to 547.

Among those identified from Dekara are village head of Ka’ada, Abubakar Lafiya; Magaji of Dekara, Mamuda Lafiya; Alhaji Idris Haruna; Umar Shero; Idris Samari; Ibro Samari; Mohammed Bio Kozi; Rakiya Yahaya; Wasila Yahaya; Balkisu Garba and several other residents.

The document also contains a long list of people allegedly abducted from Gbenji, including Mussinat Aliyu, Kalimat Aliyu, Mukadas Aliyu, Abass Aliyu, Jafar Aliyu, Nafiu Aliyu, Rabiu Aliyu, Rekiya Mohammed, Adikut Mohammed, Anatu Haruna and others.

It further lists victims from several families, including members of the Aliyu, Abubakar, Zakari, Mohammed, Sheibu, Iliyasu, Hussaini, Amuda, Ibrahim, Ahmed, Hamidu, Ishaku, Saidu, Maliki and Umaru families.

However, SaharaReporters noted that the document contains duplicate names, repeated entries and numbering inconsistencies, suggesting it may have been compiled from different community records. The publication said it had retained the names substantially as supplied and was not presenting the document as an independently verified official register.

The mass abduction reportedly occurred when armed men invaded communities in Dekara District before attacking worshippers observing Juma’at prayers. Initial figures released after the incident were lower, while authorities reportedly said efforts were ongoing to establish the exact number of people abducted.

Community sources, however, continued to insist that hundreds of residents were missing. The newly obtained document puts the number of alleged victims at 547, with Gbenji accounting for the largest share.

The victims are said to include men, women and children. According to the document, their whereabouts and condition remained unknown more than a month after the incident.

SaharaReporters said it could not independently verify the status of each person named or establish whether any of the victims had been released after the list was compiled.

The development has renewed concerns over security in communities around the Kainji Lake National Park, where residents have faced attacks and mass abductions by armed groups.

Families of the alleged victims are demanding urgent intervention from the government and security agencies to locate those taken into the forest and secure their release.