The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has called for increased security presence at places of worship across the state, especially during Friday Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services.
The CAN Chairman in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, made the call in a homily at St. Michael Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
His appeal followed the abduction of an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers from Mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana in Borgu Local Government Area during Jumu’at prayers on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Bishop Yohanna said “the entire Borgu Emirate, including Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, needed a strong and permanent security presence to enable people in rural communities to live without fear of abduction.”
He strongly condemned the abduction, describing any attack on a place of worship as “an attack on the sanctity of worship and a threat to the wider community.”
He said CAN stood in solidarity with the victims and their families and shared in the grief of the affected Muslim communities.
The Bishop also said Christians and churches across Niger State had intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
He called on Christians and all residents of Niger State to use their Sunday services to pray for the safe return of the victims and for God to guide and protect security agencies in their efforts.
Bishop Yohanna expressed confidence that the prayers would be answered, saying, “We are praying, and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”
He also commended the Nigerian and Niger State Governments, as well as security agencies, for their efforts so far in responding to the security situation.
