At least 30 people were gruesomely killed when bandits invaded four communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State last Friday.

The Peoples Gazette had previously reported that terrorists kidnapped an unspecified number of worshippers on Friday during Jumma’at prayer in Dekara and other adjoining communities in the area.

“The main attack largely took place in Dekara community, where over 30 people were killed, and over 60 people from that same Dekara community were taken away by deadly bandits to the Kainji Lake National Park Forest,” a source who spoke to the Gazette said.

He further stated that several houses were burnt down, including the district head of the village, Umar Abubakar.  

The source stated that the attack took place during the Friday Muslim congregational prayers, adding that gunmen attacked mosques in about five communities.

“Immediately after the prayers, people were killed while others were taken away into the forest,” the source said. “Not at all, but this was the major attack so far, and they have not placed their demands”.

“The senseless killing and burning of the houses only took place in the Dekara community,” he noted, adding that other attacked communities suffered displacement. 

The source stated that gunmen earlier this year invaded Dekara and other communities, burning down the schools across the area and killing the school principal of the community while in captivity.

Wasiu Abiodun, the state police spokesperson, was not immediately available for comment. He also did not respond to texts and WhatsApp messages sent to him as of press time.

The Gazette also reported that President Bola Tinubu had condemned the mass abductions of worshippers and other residents in the area, urging immediate rescue operations.