Dozens of residents have been abducted after armed men launched coordinated attacks on several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The assailants reportedly invaded Kpenya village while residents were attending prayers at a mosque and forcibly took many worshippers away. Other communities in the area were also attacked during the raids.

Local officials and residents estimated that between 60 and 80 people were kidnapped. However, the Niger State Police Command had yet to confirm the precise number of victims at the time of reporting.

Among those abducted was reportedly the 85-year-old father of a community youth leader.

Police confirmed that some residents sustained gunshot injuries while attempting to escape but said no deaths had been recorded. The injured victims were taken for medical attention.

Security forces, including military personnel, have been deployed to the affected communities, while search-and-rescue operations are underway to locate the victims and arrest the attackers.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The incident has heightened concerns over persistent kidnapping and armed violence in Niger State, where rural communities have repeatedly suffered attacks by criminal groups.

Residents have appealed to the federal and state governments to strengthen security operations in the area and ensure the safe release of those abducted.