The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Niger State chapter, has condemned the abduction of Muslim worshippers in Borgu Local Government Area and called for their safe rescue.
The PFN Chairman, Pastor PeterRock Sadiq, described the attack as wicked and heartless, saying places of worship should never be turned into scenes of violence and abduction.
Speaking in Minna on Thursday, Sadiq said an attack on a mosque or church was an attack on all Nigerians.
“Whether it is a mosque or a church, an attack on a place of worship is an attack on all of us,” he said.
The worshippers were reportedly abducted on August 21 when gunmen attacked communities including Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana during Jumu’at prayers.
Sadiq said the attackers allegedly marched worshippers into the forest after the prayers, while some people who attempted to escape were reportedly killed.
The PFN expressed solidarity with the affected families and urged the Federal and Niger State governments to secure the release of all the abducted persons.
Sadiq also called on churches across the state to pray for the victims and their safe return.
Police Deploy Special Teams
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command said security agencies have begun a coordinated operation to rescue the abducted worshippers.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, to coordinate the rescue operation.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, disclosed this through the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in Minna.
The police said tactical teams, counter-terrorism units, the Police Air Wing and other specialised personnel had been deployed for the operation.
The command, however, said the exact number of abducted persons was still being verified.
Police said they were working with local communities and other security agencies to establish the number of victims and secure their safe release.