President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate launch of a coordinated rescue operation after hundreds of worshippers were abducted in Niger State.
According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), on Tuesday, Tinubu directed the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other relevant security and intelligence agencies to work together to rescue the victims and account for everyone taken during the attack.
Tinubu also condemned the abduction and killing of innocent citizens by criminal elements in the state, describing the perpetrators as enemies of peace and humanity.
“Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed in this barbaric assault and pray that Almighty God grant them eternal rest, and grant their loved ones the fortitude to bear this painful loss.
“You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you,” he said.
The President further instructed the Service Chiefs to provide him with regular updates on the rescue operation until all the abducted persons have been accounted for.
“Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life.
“My prayers are with the people of Niger State at this difficult time. The Federal Government stands firmly with the State Government and will provide all necessary support to aid recovery, relief, and security reinforcement.”
The directive follows the release of a video showing what appears to be a large group of captives being held by armed men in a forested location in Nigeria.
According to Al Jazeera, the video emerged on Sunday, two days after gunmen reportedly abducted as many as 600 worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in Dekera village, Niger State.
Residents said the attackers also carried out simultaneous raids on several communities in the area, taking people away during the assaults.
The footage, which was circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp, shows children crying while an armed man speaking Hausa addresses the families of those being held and asks them to identify their relatives.
