Residents of communities in Niger State have staged a shutdown and protest demanding urgent government action as hundreds of people abducted during a major attack in August remain missing one month later.

Protesters from Dekara and neighbouring communities in Borgu Local Government Area gathered at the local government headquarters in New Bussa on Monday, demanding that authorities intensify efforts to rescue the captives.

Community leaders now estimate that close to 700 people could remain in captivity following the August 21 attacks.

The figure has not been independently verified and Nigerian authorities have not released an official number of people abducted.

Residents had previously estimated that approximately 600 people were taken.

COMMUNITIES SHUT DOWN IN PROTEST

Residents closed shops and suspended normal commercial activity as part of the protest.

The shutdown took place despite Monday being a market day in Borgu.

Protesters said they wanted stronger government action to locate and rescue those still being held.

Residents also said continued insecurity has restricted their ability to access markets and healthcare.

The affected communities are in Borgu, an area approximately 300 kilometres from Niger State capital Minna and close to Nigeria's border with Benin.

COMMUNITY LEADERS SAY CLOSE TO 700 REMAIN CAPTIVE

Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, president of the Borgu Youths Development Association, said communities now believe close to 700 people are being held by the kidnappers.

He called for a head count across affected villages to establish the true number of missing residents.

Reuters could not independently verify the estimate.

Authorities have also not provided an official figure.

That uncertainty has existed since the attacks, with early police statements describing the number abducted as unspecified.

WOMEN CHILDREN AND ELDERLY AMONG VICTIMS

Residents say many of those abducted are women, children and elderly people.

The mass abductions occurred on August 21 when armed men attacked several communities in Borgu.

Among the locations targeted were Dekara, Kpenya and Gidan Zana.

Gunmen also attacked worshippers at a mosque during Friday prayers.

Early accounts immediately after the attack suggested dozens had been taken, but residents subsequently reported that the scale of the abductions was substantially larger as communities attempted to account for missing people.

TINUBU ORDERED RESCUE OPERATION

President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate rescue operation following the attacks.

Security personnel were subsequently mobilised to the affected area.

However, one month after the kidnappings, authorities have not announced the rescue of the victims.

Niger State Commissioner for Information Obed Nuhu Nana said security agencies had been mobilised and that the government was continuing efforts to secure the captives' release.

The state government has previously said it is coordinating with security agencies and providing logistical support for rescue operations.

RESIDENTS DEMAND FASTER ACTION

Protesters say the continued captivity of their relatives has created fear and disrupted everyday life across the affected communities.

Abdulmutallib Dindey of the Borgu Youths Development Association said insecurity has made it more difficult for residents to reach markets and obtain healthcare.

Residents are demanding that authorities restore security in addition to rescuing those abducted.

The continuing uncertainty surrounding the number of captives has also increased frustration.

Community representatives have called for authorities to conduct a comprehensive count of missing residents to establish the scale of the crisis.

NIGER STATE FACES WIDER SECURITY CHALLENGES

The kidnappings add to persistent insecurity affecting parts of Niger State and other areas of north central and northwestern Nigeria.

Armed groups have repeatedly targeted rural communities, travellers and places of worship for kidnapping.

Mass abductions have become a major security challenge, with criminal groups frequently holding victims for ransom.

Borgu's proximity to forests and Nigeria's western border has added to security challenges facing communities in the region.

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON GOVERNMENT

The continuing captivity of hundreds of residents is increasing scrutiny of the federal and state governments' response to insecurity.

Nigeria is preparing for national elections scheduled for January 2027, making public safety and the government's response to kidnappings increasingly prominent political issues.

For families in Borgu, however, the immediate concern remains the location and condition of their relatives.

One month after the August 21 attacks, authorities have yet to announce a breakthrough in locating the captives.

The estimate of nearly 700 people remains a figure provided by community leaders and has not been independently confirmed.

Residents say they will continue demanding action until those abducted are brought home.