By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Out of love and sympathy for fellow citizens in captivity, Christians in Niger state on Sunday prayed for the safe return of a yet to be ascertained number of moslem worshippers recently abducted from some mosques in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
While praying for the safe return of the abductees, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership in Niger state chapter is calling for more security presence at places of worship especially during Fridays Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services.
State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who led the intercessory prayers in a homily at St. Michael's Catholic Cathedral Church, Kontagora on Sunday prayed God to grant safe return of the unspecified number of worshippers abducted from Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana, all in Borgu during Friday's Jumu’at prayers, August 21st, 2026.
Bishop Bulus said, “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.
While appealing for more security beef-up at places of worship, Bulus Dauwa who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, condemned in strong terms the abduction of hundreds of Muslim worshippers while they were observing their Friday Jumu’at prayers.
“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", adding that those who invade places of worship, disrupting prayers and abducting worshipers should fear God.
According to Bishop Bulus Dauwa, “As a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and also share in the grief of the affected muslim communities”.
“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.
“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".
“We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already", Bishop Bulus said as he commended the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies for the effirts so far made to rescue the victims. NNL.
