CAN Prays for Safe Return of Muslim Abductees in Niger

Christians in Niger State have prayed for the safe return of Muslim worshippers abducted from mosques in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

The Christians offered the prayers on Sunday as a show of solidarity with fellow residents held in captivity. The exact number of abducted worshippers remains unknown.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, also called for increased security around places of worship. The association specifically urged authorities to strengthen security during Friday Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services.

The state CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, led the intercessory prayers during a homily at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral Church in Kontagora on Sunday.

Bishop Bulus prayed for the safe return of worshippers abducted during Friday’s Jumu’at prayers on August 21, 2026. The victims were reportedly taken from Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities in Borgu.

He called for a stronger and permanent security presence across the Borgu Emirate, which includes Agwara and Borgu LGAs.

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“The whole of Borgu Emirate which included Agwara and Borgu LGAs need strong and permanent security presence, especially in places of worship so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted,” he said.

Bulus, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, condemned the abduction of Muslim worshippers during their Friday prayers.

He stressed that attacks on religious worship go beyond the immediate victims and threaten the wider community.

“For us Christians, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the larger community,” he said.

The bishop also urged those who attack places of worship, disrupt religious services and abduct worshippers to have the fear of God.

Niger Christians Stand With Abducted Muslims

Bishop Bulus said Christians across Niger State shared in the pain of the victims and their families.

“As a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and also share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities,” he said.

He added that churches across the state had intensified prayers for the abducted worshippers.

“Millions of Christians and all the churches across Niger state have intensified prayers for the safe returns of our moslem brothers and sisters abducted while they were observing their prayers in Borgu Emirate,” he said.

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The CAN chairman also said the association dedicated Sunday, August 30, 2026, to prayers for the victims and the security situation in the state.

“As a Body, we set aside today Sunday, 30th of August, 2026 to call on all Nigerlites, Christians and churches across the state to use today’s service to cry to God and to pray specifically for the safe return of the abductees and for God to help security agencies end all forms of insecurity in the state,” he said.

Bishop Bulus expressed confidence that the prayers would receive a response from God.

“We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already,” he said.

He also commended the Federal and Niger State Governments, alongside security agencies, for their efforts toward securing the release of the abducted worshippers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit: Azeez Amosun 

Image Credit: Facebook.com