Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe rescue of worshippers abducted at a mosque during the Muslim Friday prayers in Kpenya, Dekara District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The rights organisation said in a statement published on its verified social media handle that an unspecified number of worshippers were abducted during the attack on 21 August, while residents claimed that more than 80 people may have been taken.
Amnesty urged the Nigerian authorities to act urgently to secure the victims’ release and address the growing wave of abductions targeting rural communities across northern Nigeria.
The organisation said the incident was particularly concerning because the victims were abducted while observing Friday prayers, adding that survivors of previous mass abductions had reported torture, starvation, sexual violence, amputation and being forced to witness or participate in atrocities.
The Niger State Government confirmed the attack in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nana, saying suspected terrorists stormed Kpenya Mosque while worshippers were observing Juma’at prayers.
