Two weeks after a coordinated assault on north-central Niger State left dozens dead and communities burnt, distraught families say they have heard nothing from the abductors and remain in the dark regarding government rescue efforts.
The raid occurred on August 22 when armed assailants invaded Dekera, Gidan-Zana, and Sabon Gida villages. Local residents report that around 600 people—mostly women, children, and elderly citizens, were kidnapped, while at least 40 villagers lost their lives in the violence.
Despite President Bola Tinubu directing security agencies to secure the immediate release of the victims, authorities have yet to release an official count of hostages or fatalities. Niger State Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that security operations remain ongoing, but no fresh operational updates are available at this time.
Family members of the captives describe a harrowing ordeal marked by complete silence from the kidnappers. Habibu Salihu, a civil servant from the area, recounted that his sister was abducted along with her husband, three children, and a newborn baby born just one week before the attack. While early footage released online by the abductors showed her nursing the infant, Salihu noted that his family has received no further news on their condition.
Security analysts suspect a breakaway faction linked to Boko Haram may be behind the assault, which represents one of the largest mass abductions in the region in recent years. The attack has also spilled across international borders, with authorities in neighbouring Benin confirming that several displaced residents crossed into their territory seeking safety.
In Dekera, military personnel have been deployed to stabilize the area, but surviving villagers face severe homelessness and hunger following the widespread destruction of homes, markets, and infrastructure. Community members continue to appeal to the Federal Government for urgent humanitarian intervention and swift military action to rescue their missing relatives.
