Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has disputed earlier reports of a mass abduction at a mosque in Dakera, saying 63 people were abducted and three of them killed, rather than the hundreds reported on social media.
Bago said 33 worshippers were taken from the mosque, while another 30 people were abducted from a nearby market as the attackers fled, bringing the total to 63.
He also disclosed that 14 of the abducted persons had been recovered, while three had been killed by their captors.
The governor gave the figures when his predecessor and Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Sani Bello, visited the Government House to sympathise with the state over recent security incidents.
Bago described reports that about 500 people were abducted as exaggerated.
“It was a social media hype. Thirty-three were kidnapped at the mosque, and on their way, they kidnapped an additional 30 in a market, making a total of 63,” the governor said.
He added: “So far, three of those kidnapped were killed and 14 were recovered from them, so we should not be misled by people and the social media.”
The governor, however, acknowledged the worsening security situation across parts of Niger North, particularly Borgu, where communities have faced repeated abduction incidents.
The latest clarification differs sharply from earlier accounts of the August attack. The Borgu council chairman had previously said more than 60 people were abducted and close to 30 killed, while Reuters reported that video footage appeared to show about 600 captives.
The Niger State Government had initially said the exact number of victims was still being verified and urged residents to avoid circulating unconfirmed casualty figures.
Bago said efforts were continuing to address the security challenges in the affected areas and expressed hope that the situation would soon be brought under control.
Bello, who visited the governor to commiserate with the state, said he would also travel to Borgu to sympathise with the emirate and communities affected by the abductions.