*Photo: NSCIA President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar*
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has condemned the terrorist attacks on four communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, which left scores of residents dead, injured or abducted.
The attacks, which occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, affected Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara communities, with terrorists reportedly invading the areas and unleashing violence on defenceless residents.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA described the attacks as “heinous and barbaric”, expressing particular concern over the invasion of a mosque during the Jumu’at prayers.
According to the Council, the attack on Dekara was particularly horrifying, as terrorists reportedly stormed the Central Mosque while Muslims were observing their Friday prayers and abducted more than 60 worshippers.
The NSCIA said reports indicated that about 30 people were killed in the attacks, while several others sustained injuries, some of them reportedly life-threatening, with dozens of victims still being held captive.
It described the invasion of a mosque during Jumu’at prayers and the abduction of worshippers as a heinous assault on innocent Nigerians, as well as a grievous attack on the sanctity of worship and the fundamental right of citizens to practise their faith without fear.
The Council also said the attack demonstrated the danger of portraying insecurity in Nigeria as being directed exclusively against Christians.
“This horrendous savagery against innocent Muslims observing the Jumu’ah prayer also points to the factual error that the insecurity in parts of the country is genocidal against Christians, which would hinder the much-needed collective efforts to tackle the scourge,” it said.
The NSCIA questioned how long Nigerians, particularly those living in vulnerable communities, would continue to be abducted and killed while terrorists operate with such audacity.
It noted that the latest attacks on Dekara and neighbouring communities were particularly disturbing, describing the incident as reportedly the third major attack on the communities in recent times.
According to the Council, previous attacks had forced entire populations to abandon their ancestral homes and seek refuge in other parts of Niger and Kwara states, as well as across Nigeria’s border in the Republic of Benin.
The NSCIA further expressed concern that the latest attacks occurred barely three weeks after a major hostage-rescue operation in which Nigerian security forces reportedly rescued 308 abducted persons from the Kainji Lake National Park forest on August 5, 2026.
The rescued victims included 163 persons abducted from Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and 145 persons from communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, including Kasuwan Daji, Konkonso and Pissa.
The Council said the rescue operation demonstrated what Nigeria’s security forces could achieve when adequate resources, intelligence, coordination and political will were deployed.
However, it said the renewed attacks raised “deeply troubling questions” about the sustainability of the gains made.
The NSCIA therefore urged the Federal Government to move beyond episodic rescue operations and establish a permanent, intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture capable of preventing terrorists from repeatedly returning to vulnerable communities.
It demanded an immediate and comprehensive review of security arrangements across Niger and Kwara states and adjoining border communities, particularly areas around the Kainji Lake National Park and the extensive forest corridors allegedly being exploited by terrorists as operational and hostage-holding bases.
The Council called for the immediate mobilisation of all available resources to locate and rescue everyone still being held captive following the August 21 attacks, stressing that their rescue must be treated as an urgent national priority.
It also urged security agencies to intensify aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, early-warning mechanisms and coordinated ground operations, insisting that forests and other difficult terrains being used as terrorist sanctuaries should no longer be treated as inaccessible spaces.
The NSCIA further called on the Federal Government to ensure that security personnel deployed to vulnerable areas are adequately equipped, properly motivated and supported with the tactical, operational and logistical resources required to protect civilian populations.
It urged state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local communities to strengthen cooperation with security agencies.
According to the Council, residents who provide actionable intelligence must be adequately protected, while community vigilante structures operating within the law should be properly regulated and integrated into broader early-warning and community-protection mechanisms.
The NSCIA specifically called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and all relevant security agencies to treat the Borgu attacks as a national emergency requiring immediate and coordinated intervention.
The Council extended its condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
It also expressed solidarity with families whose loved ones remain in captivity, urging them not to lose hope.
“Nigerians have every right to demand security, justice and accountability from those entrusted with protecting them,” the Council said, while urging the Muslim Ummah in Niger State and across the country to remain steadfast in faith and resolute in the face of terrorism.