Residents of four communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State were thrown into mourning after recovering the decomposing bodies of 25 villagers allegedly killed by bandits who abducted hundreds of worshippers last month.
The bodies were reportedly recovered on Monday from bushes around Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities after the abductors allegedly contacted residents and directed them to identify and collect the remains.
A source close to the affected communities told our correspondent that the 25 bodies were later given a mass burial in a nearby bush.
The victims were said to be among about 500 worshippers abducted after Friday Jumm’at prayers on August 21, 2026.
The abductees reportedly included men, women and children, including infants.
According to the source, the victims were allegedly killed and their bodies left to decompose before the abductors contacted the communities.
The source said the abductors also warned that more captives could be killed if their demands were not met.
The development has heightened fears among residents over the fate of those still being held captive.
A resident of one of the affected communities, who spoke with our correspondent by telephone on condition of anonymity, said the communities were devastated by the development.
He said residents, most of whom are farmers and petty traders, were incapable of raising the ransom allegedly demanded by the abductors.
“They first asked each family to bring N10 million for each captive, but later reduced it to N5 million. There is no way we can afford it,” he said.
The resident expressed concern that the continued captivity of the remaining victims, coupled with the reported killing of 25 others, had left families in a state of panic.
“We don’t know what will happen to the rest of the people who are still being held,” he said.
The development came weeks after the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, visited Niger State and assured residents that the police, working with other security agencies, were taking steps to secure the release of the abducted residents.
The IGP had also deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Victor Olaiya, alongside a tactical team, to support the rescue operation.
However, residents said the reported recovery of the bodies had deepened their frustration and fears over the fate of the remaining captives.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Mallam Nasir Mohammed, described the reported killings as heartbreaking.
“This is inhumane and wicked. I lack words to describe this horrifying incident. The entire people of Borgu Kingdom are devastated by the killing of these innocent people,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Niger State Government or the police confirming the reported recovery and killing of the 25 victims.
The identities of the deceased and the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths could not be independently verified.