Suspected bandits have attacked several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers shortly after Friday prayers.

The attacks reportedly occurred in Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida and Masaka communities.

A federal lawmaker representing the area, Jafar Muhammad Shetiman Borgu, disclosed the development, saying the exact number of people abducted had yet to be established.

According to him, several worshippers were also attacked with machetes during the incident, while some victims managed to escape with injuries.

“Some people managed to escape, while others sustained machete wounds,” Borgu said.

He explained that the attackers stormed Dekara shortly after Friday prayers, surrounded a mosque and abducted some of the worshippers before taking them into the forest.

The gunmen subsequently moved into neighbouring communities, where they reportedly abducted more people after Friday prayers.

Borgu said youths and heads of households were among those taken away by the attackers.

The latest attacks have heightened concerns over the security situation in Borgu, a local government area bordering Kebbi and Kwara states as well as the Republic of Benin.