Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has clarified that 63 people were abducted during the recent attack on worshippers in Dakera, Borgu Local Government Area, dismissing earlier reports that about 500 people were taken.
Bago said 33 worshippers were abducted from the mosque during Friday prayers, while another 30 people were seized from a nearby market as the attackers fled, bringing the total to 63.
The governor said three of the abducted victims had been killed, while 14 had so far been rescued.
He made the disclosure on Wednesday when former governor and Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Sani Bello, visited the Government House in Minna to sympathise with the state over the recent security incidents.
Bago described reports of about 500 worshippers being abducted as exaggerated social media reports, stressing that the verified figure was 63.
He, however, acknowledged the worsening security situation in parts of Niger North, particularly Borgu, where communities have suffered repeated attacks and abductions.
Bello said he would visit Borgu to commiserate with the affected emirate, as the state government expressed hope that ongoing security operations would bring the situation under control.