Chinedum Treasure
The Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue more than 600 Nigerians reportedly abducted during Juma’at prayers in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Ikezue who made the call in Awka expressing concern over the continued captivity of the victims, who he said included women, children and elderly worshippers.
According to him, the victims were abducted on August 21, 2026, when armed attackers invaded a mosque in Borgu Local Government Area and took worshippers into the forest.
He said a subsequent proof-of-life video showed about 600 worshippers being held in a remote forested location, describing the situation as a national emergency that required urgent government action.
The LP Senatorial hopeful commended President Bola Tinubu for directing an immediate joint rescue operation involving the military, police air wing and intelligence services, noting the difficult terrain and security challenges in border communities.
He however, expressed concern that weeks after the incident, there had been no official announcement confirming the liberation of the victims.
Ikezue urged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with weekly updates on the rescue operation, stressing that the families of the abducted persons deserved to know the measures being taken to secure their loved ones.
He also called for a state of emergency on security in forests and border communities, alongside adequate funding, equipment and welfare for security personnel.
Ikezue further urged the government to address what he described as the root causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment and inadequate local policing.
He sympathised with the families of the victims and urged Nigerians not to forget those still in captivity, while calling on security agencies to intensify efforts until every victim is brought home safely.
“Until the last person in that video is brought home, we must all treat this as a national emergency,” Ikezue said.
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