Two weeks after suspected terrorists attacked communities in Niger State, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded answers from the Federal Government over the fate of hundreds of abducted residents.
National Coordinator lof the Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement on Saturday said families of victims taken from Dekera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida communities were being left in uncertainty, with little information about efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.
The group indicated that the reported abduction of about 600 residents, alongside reports of killings and destruction of property, should be treated as a national security and humanitarian emergency.
The Niger State Police Command initially confirmed the abduction of an unspecified number of worshippers and said security personnel had been deployed for rescue operations. The command also cited difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge as challenges affecting the movement of security forces.
HURIWA, however, said the passage of time without clear updates was becoming unacceptable.
The rights group said President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to rescue the victims, but argued that such directives must be followed by visible action and regular communication with affected families.
“A presidential order to rescue abducted citizens cannot end as a statement in the media. Nigerians need results. Families need information. The abducted citizens need to come home alive,” HURIWA said.
The group said the situation was particularly disturbing because families were reportedly struggling to establish the whereabouts of relatives taken during the attacks.
HURIWA also highlighted the case of a woman who was reportedly abducted with her husband and three children, including a newborn baby.
It said the reported destruction of houses had compounded the crisis, leaving some residents displaced and in need of food, shelter and medical assistance.
The rights group called on the Federal Government, Niger State Government and security agencies to establish a dedicated communication channel for families affected by the abductions.
It also demanded an investigation into how armed attackers were able to conduct a large-scale assault across several communities.
“The government must explain how hundreds of Nigerians can reportedly be taken hostage in a single operation without effective intervention,” HURIWA said.
The association urged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated operations to locate the victims, while ensuring that their safety remains the priority.
HURIWA warned that continued silence could deepen public distrust and leave families feeling abandoned.
The group therefore demanded urgent action, regular updates and accountability over the reported mass abduction.