A week after a shocking attack on worshippers during Friday prayers in Niger State, officials have reported that there has been no communication from the terrorists responsible for the abduction. The state Commissioner for Information, Obed Nuhu, confirmed this on Thursday, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to ascertain the exact number of victims taken during the incident.

The attacks occurred on August 21 at three separate locations within the Borgu Local Government Area, with suspicions pointing towards elements of the Lakurawa group and Boko Haram. Commissioner Nuhu stated that the government has not yet established contact with the abductors, saying, "No such contact with the kidnappers has happened. We have not had any interactions with them."

The incident unfolded during Juma’at prayers at the Kpenya Mosque in Gidan-Zana, where worshippers, including children, women, and the elderly, were taken hostage. Reports indicate that among those abducted were the village head of Ka’ada, who had recently been released from captivity, and the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara.

Initially, the Niger State Police Command reported an unspecified number of abductions, noting that some residents managed to escape into nearby forests. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded in the mosque attack, and a joint security team was promptly deployed to assess the situation and conduct rescue operations.

However, subsequent reports have revealed that the violence extended beyond the mosque, affecting several communities, including Gbeji, Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu, and Dekara. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Northern Senators Forum expressed grave concern over the attacks, particularly the invasion of the central mosque in Dekara, where over 60 worshippers were reportedly abducted.

In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a coordinated rescue operation involving the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services. While the Presidency has indicated that more than 40 people were killed across the affected areas and over 100 others abducted, the Niger State Government has yet to confirm these figures, stating that they are still in the process of verifying the number of victims.

As the search for the abducted individuals continues, security agencies have intensified their efforts to locate and rescue the victims. The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, to oversee the rescue mission. Governor Umaru Bago has directed security forces to prioritize the safe recovery of the victims and restore normalcy to the affected communities.

The Northern Senators Forum has called for the immediate and safe release of the victims, urging for increased security measures and a review of the security architecture in Niger State and the North-Central region. As families of the abducted individuals remain in a state of uncertainty, nearly a week has passed with no contact from the kidnappers, leaving many to fear for the safety of their loved ones as authorities continue their search efforts.