NSCIA demands rescue of Borgu attack victims

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, on Wednesday, condemned the August 21 terrorist attacks on four communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, demanding the immediate rescue of all captives and prosecution of the perpetrators.

The council, led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said terrorists attacked Gbeji, Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara during Jumu’at prayers, killing about 30 people, injuring others and abducting more than 60 worshippers.

The NSCIA made the demands in a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh.

It described the attacks as a serious assault on civilians and the sanctity of worship.

The council said the attack on Dekara was particularly disturbing, alleging that terrorists invaded the Central Mosque while Muslims were observing Friday prayers.

It said several victims remained in captivity after the attack.

The NSCIA urged the Federal Government to deploy all available resources to locate and rescue the captives.

“The rescue of these victims must be treated as an urgent national priority,” the council said.

The council also called for the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.

It rejected narratives portraying insecurity in parts of Nigeria solely as a genocidal campaign against Christians.

The NSCIA said the Borgu attacks demonstrated that terrorism affected Nigerians across religious lines and required a collective response.

“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,” it said.

The council said repeated attacks had forced residents of Dekara and neighbouring communities to abandon their ancestral homes for safer locations in Niger and Kwara states and the Republic of Benin.

It linked the security situation to the Kainji Lake National Park and adjoining forest corridors, which it said had been used by terrorists as operational and hostage-holding bases.

The NSCIA recalled that security forces rescued 308 abducted persons from the Kainji Lake National Park forest on August 5.

The victims included 163 persons abducted from Woro in Kwara State and 145 from communities in Borgu Local Government Area.

The council said the rescue operation demonstrated the capacity of security agencies when provided with adequate resources, intelligence and coordination.

It, however, called for a permanent security arrangement rather than what it described as episodic rescue operations.

The council urged the Federal Government to establish an intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture capable of preventing terrorists from returning to vulnerable communities.

It also demanded a comprehensive review of security arrangements across Niger and Kwara states, particularly around the Kainji Lake National Park and adjoining forest corridors.

The NSCIA called for increased aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, early-warning systems and coordinated ground operations.

It further demanded adequate equipment, logistical support and motivation for security personnel deployed to vulnerable communities.

The council urged state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities to strengthen cooperation with security agencies.

It also called for the lawful integration of community vigilante groups into early-warning and civilian protection structures.

The NSCIA asked President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Council, the Ministries of Defence and Interior and other security agencies to treat the attacks as a national emergency.

It condoled with the families of those killed and urged Nigerians to demand security, justice and accountability.

“Nigerians have every right to demand security, justice and accountability from those entrusted with protecting them,” the council said.