Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has said 63 people were abducted during the bandits’ attack on worshippers at a Friday mosque in Dakera, clarifying earlier reports that put the number of victims at about 500.
Bago disclosed this when the immediate past governor of the state and Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Sani Bello, visited the Government House to sympathise with the state over the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The governor said 33 worshippers were abducted from the mosque before the assailants seized another 30 people at a nearby market while fleeing the area.
He said the total number of abducted persons was therefore 63.
Bago also disclosed that three of the victims had been killed by the abductors, while security and government efforts had resulted in the recovery of 14 others.
He dismissed reports that about 500 people were kidnapped, describing the figure as an exaggeration circulating on social media.
“It was a social media hype. Thirty-three were kidnapped at the mosque, and on their way, they kidnapped an additional 30 in a market, making a total of 63,” the governor said.
“So far, three of those kidnapped were killed and 14 were recovered from them, so we should not be misled by people and the social media.”
The governor acknowledged the security challenges confronting Niger State, particularly the spate of abductions in parts of Niger North, including Borgu.
He expressed hope that the security situation would improve and the state would overcome the challenges.
Earlier, Bello said his visit was to sympathise with the government and residents affected by the recent incidents.
The former governor also said he would proceed to Borgu to commiserate with the emirate over the abduction of the worshippers.