SNG-USA Condemns Deadly Borgu Attacks, Demands Immediate Rescue of Over 100 Abducted Residents
WASHINGTON, D.C./MINNA — August 24, 2026: The Save Nigeria Group USA (SNG-USA) has condemned the deadly attacks and mass abductions reportedly carried out across rural communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, calling on the Nigerian government to launch an immediate search and rescue operation for the victims.
The organisation, in solidarity with the U.S.–Nigeria Civil Society Coalition it convened, said the attacks occurred on Friday, August 21, following Muslim prayers and affected communities including Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida, Masaka and nearby Kpenya.
According to residents, community sources and reports cited by the organisation, armed men, some allegedly dressed in military-style clothing, invaded the communities and abducted worshippers and other residents before taking them into surrounding forest areas.
Although the exact number of casualties has yet to be independently established, SNG-USA said local sources reported that more than 40 people may have been killed, while more than 100 others were reportedly abducted.
The organisation noted, however, that other reports had given lower figures for confirmed or estimated abductions, stressing the need for Nigerian authorities to provide an authoritative account of those killed, injured and missing.
SNG-USA expressed condolences to families of those reportedly killed and solidarity with survivors, abducted persons, community leaders, worshippers and residents affected by the attacks.
‘An assault on human life and religious freedom’
President of SNG-USA, Stephen Osemwegie, described the incident as a disturbing attack on civilians who were exercising their right to worship and live in peace.
“Whether the victims are Christians, Muslims, or followers of any faith, every Nigerian has the fundamental right to worship, live, work and raise a family without being hunted, abducted or killed,” Osemwegie said.
He added that an attack on people gathered for Friday prayers was “an attack on religious freedom and an affront to our shared humanity.”
Osemwegie warned against normalising the kidnapping of entire communities and the continued transformation of rural areas into territories where criminal and extremist groups operate with impunity.
“The people of Borgu deserve protection, and the abducted must be brought home,” he said.
SNG-USA demands immediate rescue operation
The organisation called on the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police and other relevant security agencies to immediately commence a coordinated, intelligence-led search and rescue operation aimed at locating and safely recovering all those abducted.
It also urged the authorities to deploy aerial surveillance, intelligence, mobility and logistical resources necessary to operate in difficult forest terrain and identify the routes, camps and escape corridors allegedly used by the attackers.
The organisation further called for regular and credible communication between government authorities and families of the abducted persons.
Calls for stronger rural security and border surveillance
SNG-USA also urged the Federal Government to strengthen security in vulnerable rural communities, particularly areas that are geographically distant from major military and police formations.
It advocated consideration of constitutionally grounded decentralised policing and properly regulated state and local security structures, subject to legal authority, professional standards, human-rights safeguards, accountability and effective federal coordination.
The organisation also highlighted Borgu's strategic location and called for increased surveillance and intelligence-sharing along border corridors linking Niger State with Kebbi and Kwara States and the Republic of Benin.
According to SNG-USA, such corridors could be exploited by armed groups for movement, recruitment, kidnapping, weapons trafficking and concealment of abducted victims.
Seek expanded US-Nigeria security cooperation
The group called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria, the United States and other international security partners in intelligence sharing, counterterrorism training, border security, aerial surveillance, forensic capabilities and efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal financing networks.
It stressed that international assistance should complement Nigerian leadership and strengthen the country's capacity to protect its citizens.
SNG-USA also urged the government to improve early-warning systems and communication channels between vulnerable communities and security agencies.
It noted that local residents and community leaders are often the first to detect suspicious movements and emerging threats and should have effective channels for communicating such information without being exposed to additional risks.
Humanitarian assistance needed
Beyond the immediate security response, SNG-USA appealed to humanitarian organisations, international partners, Nigerian-American organisations, diaspora groups and charitable institutions to prepare assistance for families affected by the attacks.
The organisation said survivors and displaced families would require emergency food and clean water, medical supplies and trauma care, temporary shelter, clothing and household essentials, as well as assistance for children and other vulnerable persons.
It also called for psychosocial support and community recovery programmes, urging humanitarian partners to work with credible local organisations and community leaders to ensure that assistance reaches those most affected.
‘Nigeria must not normalise mass abduction’
SNG-USA said the Borgu attacks demonstrate that Nigeria's security crisis should not be viewed merely through statistics, stressing that every missing person represents a family waiting for a loved one and every killing leaves a grieving community.
The organisation called on the Federal Government to treat the situation with urgency, intensify efforts to recover all abducted persons, investigate the attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
It further urged the international community to support Nigeria in confronting what it described as interconnected threats of terrorism, violent extremism, organised kidnapping and criminal violence.
SNG-USA reaffirmed its commitment to democracy, human rights, religious freedom, civilian protection and a secure, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Signed:
Stephen Osemwegie — President
Victor Onyeka-Ben — Media Director
David Adenekan — Assistant Media Director
Autumn Miller — Public Relations Director
Uzochukwu Nwokwu — Secretary
Media Contact:
Save Nigeria Group USA & U.S.–Nigeria Civil Society Coalition
Washington, D.C.
info@savenigeriagroup.org
www.savenigeriagroup.org
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