The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has condemned in the strongest terms the abduction of over 600 worshippers at a Juma’at Mosque in Dekera village, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Disu described the abduction, which occurred on August 24, 2026, as painful, unfortunate and heartless, saying the perpetrators had taken their criminal activities to an unacceptable level.
The IGP stated this while addressing officers and men of the Niger State Police Command during his one-day official working visit to the Police Headquarters in Minna at the weekend.
He said the attack on worshippers was a serious incident that should concern Nigerians and the country as a whole, noting that the activities of armed bandits were threatening the peace, economic wellbeing and social stability of communities in the state.
“I sincerely condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. I equally condemn the continued damaging of innocent citizens by these criminal elements whose activities threaten the peace and economic wellbeing and social stability of our communities,” he said.
Disu further noted that the activities of bandits in rural communities were particularly damaging because they disrupt the livelihoods of residents who depend largely on farming.
“Wherever they are, we want them to know that what they are doing is wrong. They are targeting innocent citizens, and this is affecting the economic situation of the state, even the country in general,” he added.
The Police chief said his visit was aimed at strengthening ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted worshippers and identifying practical measures to address operational challenges confronting security agencies in the state.
He disclosed that the Police had deployed tactical and counter-terrorism teams, the Special Intervention Squad and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel as part of measures to rescue the victims and secure affected communities.
The IGP charged officers and men of the Niger State Command to remain vigilant, proactive and professionally committed to their duties.
He also urged the personnel to strengthen community engagement and intelligence-gathering mechanisms, stressing that credible information capable of preventing attacks must be promptly transmitted to the appropriate operational authorities.
On the proposed establishment of state police, Disu assured officers that it would not disrupt ongoing security operations but could strengthen the capacity and efficiency of security personnel.
He maintained that the Nigeria Police Force remained the primary policing institution in the country, with a critical responsibility for maintaining internal security.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of police officers, the IGP said their courage, resilience and commitment to duty remained essential to collective efforts to secure Niger State and Nigeria.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman, commended the IGP for the support extended to the command since the abduction of the worshippers and other security incidents in the state.
Elleman described Niger as the largest state in Nigeria by landmass, saying its vast territory posed significant challenges to effective policing.
He disclosed that the three senatorial zones of the state were facing peculiar security challenges, which he attributed partly to Niger’s borders with Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The CP also commended the IGP for deploying the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, AIG Victor Olaiya, to the state following the abduction.
According to him, the presence of the senior police officer had boosted the morale of personnel involved in ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted worshippers.
