Niger: CAN seeks permanent security presence in Borgu over Mosque abductions

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State chapter, has called for permanent security deployment across the Borgu Emirate following the abduction of Muslim worshippers during Jumu’at prayers.

CAN also urged security agencies to strengthen surveillance and protection around places of worship, particularly on Fridays and Sundays when large numbers of worshippers gather.

The state CAN chairman, Most Rev. Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, made the call on Sunday while delivering a homily at St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Church, Kontagora.

His appeal came days after an unspecified number of worshippers were abducted from mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities in Borgu Local Government Area during Friday prayers on August 21, 2026.

Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the security situation required urgent and sustained intervention to prevent further attacks on communities and places of worship.

He particularly called for a strong and permanent security presence across Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, which make up the Borgu Emirate.

“The whole of Borgu Emirate, which includes Agwara and Borgu LGAs, need strong and permanent security presence so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted,” he stated.

The CAN chairman condemned the abduction, stressing that insecurity in places of worship should concern Nigerians irrespective of their religious affiliations.

“For us, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the wider community,” he said.

The cleric added that CAN shared in the grief of the victims’ families and the affected Muslim communities.

“And as a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities,” he added.

The Christian body also used Sunday services across the state to mobilise Christians to pray for the safe return of the abducted worshippers.

Yohanna said churches and millions of Christians across Niger State had intensified prayers for the victims, adding that the situation required both divine intervention and stronger efforts by security agencies.

According to him, “As a Body, we have set aside today (Sunday) to call on all Nigerlites, Christians and churches across Niger State to use this Sunday service to cry to God and to pray specifically for the safe return of the abductees and for God to help our security agencies.

“We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”

He commended the Federal and Niger State Governments, as well as security agencies, for their interventions so far.