Gunmen have invaded several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of worshippers shortly after Friday prayers.
The attacks reportedly occurred in Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida and Masaka communities.
The federal lawmaker representing the area, Jafar Muhammad Shetiman Borgu, confirmed the incident, saying the number of people abducted had yet to be established.
He said some worshippers were attacked with machetes, while others escaped with injuries.
According to the lawmaker, the gunmen entered Dekara after Friday prayers, surrounded a mosque and took some worshippers into the forest before moving to neighbouring communities.
He said youths and heads of households were among those abducted.
The attacks have raised fresh concerns about insecurity in Borgu, which shares borders with Kebbi and Kwara states as well as the Republic of Benin.
Shetiman Borgu said forests in the area had become hideouts for suspected members of the Lakurawa and Mamudawa groups.
He added that there was reportedly a disagreement between members of the two groups after the mosque attacks, with some said to have opposed the abduction of worshippers.
The lawmaker said authorities were also investigating the possibility that the abductors targeted young people for recruitment, although it remained unclear whether the attackers belonged to Lakurawa or Mamudawa.
The latest incident comes barely a week after more than 20 people were reportedly killed in parts of Borgu Local Government Area.
Borgu was also the scene of a major abduction in November 2025, when gunmen reportedly kidnapped more than 200 pupils in Papiri. The children were later released after spending about a month in captivity.
