This Is Not Christian Genocide – NSCIA, Says Borgu Attacks Show Nigeria Bleeds from All Sides

Nigeria’s top Islamic body says the attack on Muslim worshippers counters claims of Christian genocide, urging a collective national response to terrorism.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks on four communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where worshippers observing Jumu’at prayers were killed, injured, and abducted. The Islamic body also used the incident to challenge narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis as a genocide against Christians, arguing that the savagery against Muslims demonstrates the need for a unified national response.

The attacks, which occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, affected Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara communities. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA described the attacks as “heinous and barbaric.” The Council, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed deep distress that terrorists invaded the communities, unleashing violence and terror on defenceless residents.

The attack on Dekara was particularly disturbing, as assailants reportedly entered the Central Mosque while Muslims were observing Jumu’at prayers and abducted more than 60 people. According to the NSCIA, about 30 people were reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries, some of them said to be life-threatening. Residents confirmed that terrorists simultaneously invaded Juma’at mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Gbezhin and Sabon-Gida, whisking away dozens of worshippers. The Council added that dozens of victims were still being held captive, with the terrorists later releasing a video showcasing the captives and calling on survivors to identify their loved ones.

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The NSCIA considers the deliberate invasion of a mosque during Jumu’at prayers and the abduction of worshippers a heinous assault not only on innocent Nigerians but also a grievous attack on the sanctity of worship and the fundamental right of citizens to practise their faith without fear. The council argued that the incident showed the complexity of insecurity in the country and challenged narratives that portray the violence as being exclusively targeted at Christians. “This horrendous savagery against innocent Muslims observing the Jumu’ah prayer also points to the factual error that the insecurity in parts of the country is genocidal against Christians, which would hinder the much needed collective efforts to tackle the scourge,” the NSCIA declared.

The council questioned the ability of security agencies to prevent terrorists from repeatedly targeting vulnerable settlements, asking: “For how long will innocent Muslims in particular and Nigerians in general continue to be abducted and slaughtered in their communities while terrorists operate with such audacity?” According to the council, the latest attack was reportedly the third major attack on Dekara and neighbouring communities in recent times, with previous attacks forcing residents to abandon their ancestral homes and seek refuge in other communities in Niger and Kwara states and even across the border in the Republic of Benin.

The NSCIA also expressed concern that the latest incident occurred barely three weeks after security forces reportedly rescued 308 abducted persons from the Kainji Lake National Park forest. On August 5, 2026, Nigerian security forces rescued 163 persons abducted from Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and 145 persons from communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, including Kasuwan Daji, Konkonso and Pissa. The council said the rescue operation demonstrated what security forces could achieve when adequate resources, intelligence, coordination and political will were available. However, the renewed attacks raise deeply troubling questions about the reversal and sustainability of the gains made.

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The NSCIA consequently urged the Federal Government to move beyond what it described as episodic rescue operations and develop a permanent, intelligence-driven and community-centred security architecture. It called for an immediate review of security arrangements in Niger and Kwara states, particularly communities around the Kainji Lake National Park and forest corridors allegedly being used by terrorists. The Council noted that Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago had previously admitted that terrorists had taken over the Kainji National Park, from where they launch incessant attacks on communities within the Borgu kingdom. The NSCIA also demanded the immediate mobilisation of all available resources to locate and rescue every person still held captive following the August 21 attack, stressing that the rescue of these victims must be treated as an urgent national priority.

The council further urged security agencies to intensify aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, early-warning systems and coordinated ground operations, insisting that forests and other difficult terrains being used as sanctuaries by terrorists must no longer be treated as inaccessible spaces. It called on state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local communities to strengthen cooperation with security agencies and protect residents who provide actionable intelligence. The Council also advocated the proper regulation and integration of community vigilante structures operating within the law into broader early-warning and community-protection mechanisms.

Furthermore, the NSCIA called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and other relevant security agencies to treat the Borgu attacks as a national emergency requiring coordinated intervention. President Tinubu has already directed the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and all relevant security and intelligence agencies to launch a coordinated rescue operation for the victims still in captivity, stating that “those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free.” The Inspector General of Police has deployed a senior officer to coordinate the rescue efforts in collaboration with other security agencies.

Survivors of the attack are reportedly battling life-threatening injuries, with some having been brutally slaughtered rather than shot. The NSCIA extended condolences to families of those killed, prayed for the recovery of the injured and expressed solidarity with families whose loved ones remain in captivity. “We also stand in solidarity with the families whose loved ones remain in captivity and urge them not to lose hope,” it said. “Nigerians have every right to demand security, justice and accountability from those entrusted with protecting them.” The council also urged Muslims in Niger State and across the country to remain steadfast in their faith: “Let us be resolute and not be subdued by terror.”

“This Is Not Christian Genocide”: NSCIA Says Borgu Attacks Show Nigeria Bleeds from All Sides

Tinubu, APC governors set October 1 target for cheaper transport fares nationwide

President Bola Tinubu and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have agreed to take immediate steps to reduce transportation costs across their respective states, with a target of delivering lower fares to Nigerians from October 1, 2026.

The agreement followed a meeting between President Tinubu and the APC governors, during which the President said the Federal Government and state governments would work together to ensure that savings from cheaper alternative fuels translate into lower transport fares for commuters.

Tinubu disclosed the outcome of the meeting on Thursday night, saying the governors had independently resolved to implement measures aimed at bringing down transportation costs, with particular emphasis on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

The President said a joint Federal and State committee would be established to begin implementing the measures immediately and coordinate efforts towards achieving the October 1 target.

“I am pleased with my discussion with the Governors’ Forum this afternoon. The Governors have, on their own initiative, resolved to take immediate measures to bring down transportation costs in their states, with a strong focus on leveraging the cost benefits of CNG and electric vehicles,” Tinubu said.

According to the President, the initiative is particularly important because intra-state transportation is where many Nigerians experience the impact of high fuel costs most directly.

He said state governments have a major role to play in ensuring that the savings generated by the adoption of cheaper fuels are passed on to commuters through reduced fares.

“Intra-state transport is where Nigerians feel the cost most directly, and it is where the states hold the levers. I am encouraged that our Governors are moving to bring these benefits closer to the people they serve,” he said.

Tinubu said a vehicle operating on CNG could spend between 60 and 80 per cent less on fuel than a petrol-powered vehicle, creating an opportunity for significant reductions in the cost of commercial transportation.

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“We have agreed to set up a joint Federal and State committee to begin implementing these measures immediately. A vehicle running on CNG spends 60 to 80 per cent less on fuel than one running on petrol,” the President said.

“From October 1, our goal is that Nigerians begin to partake in those savings through lower transport fares. We have agreed that cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares!”

The Federal Government has continued to expand its Presidential CNG Initiative, which was introduced as part of efforts to cushion the economic impact of petrol subsidy removal and reduce dependence on petrol-powered transportation.

Tinubu said more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG nationwide, while more than 100,000 additional conversion kits are currently in the works.

The government is also expanding CNG conversion centres and refuelling infrastructure across the country to make the alternative fuel more accessible to vehicle owners and commercial transport operators.

Through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), the Federal Government is financing more than 100 gas-related projects nationwide. These include 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations.

Tinubu said four of the projects were commissioned in May in Lagos, Abuja and Owerri, including a 15-station CNG refuelling network in Lagos and an Abuja facility capable of serving 1,000 cars and tricycles as well as 50 trucks and buses daily.

The President has also directed the rollout of an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations nationwide, on top of the 500 stations earlier ordered by the MDGIF.

When completed, the expansion is expected to bring the total number of CNG refuelling stations under the programme to 1,000 across Nigeria.

The latest development comes amid broader discussions by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on ways to reduce the burden of transportation costs on residents.

The governors have been examining the proposed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme (NACTP), which is aimed at encouraging the conversion of commercial vehicles to CNG and ensuring that lower fuel costs are reflected in passenger fares.

The programme is expected to involve cooperation among the Federal Government, state governments, transport operators and other stakeholders, with states playing a significant role in implementation.

The renewed push for CNG-powered transportation is part of the Federal Government’s wider energy transition programme, which seeks to increase the use of locally available natural gas and alternative energy sources.

The government has argued that expanding CNG use could reduce transportation expenses, strengthen domestic gas utilisation and lessen the impact of fluctuations in petrol prices on households and businesses.

Electric mobility is also being incorporated into the government’s transportation strategy as authorities explore alternatives to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.

The move is particularly significant for urban commuters, who have faced substantially higher transport fares since the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Rising transportation costs have also affected the prices of food and other essential goods because higher logistics expenses are often passed through the supply chain to consumers.

The Federal Government and state governments will therefore face pressure to ensure that the promised savings from CNG and electric vehicles are reflected in actual fares paid by commuters.

Tinubu stressed that every level of government must contribute to making the energy transition beneficial to Nigerians.

“Each tier of government must keep doing its part and work together for the benefit of every Nigerian,” the President added.

With October 1, 2026 set as the target, the proposed joint Federal and State committee will be expected to determine how the CNG and electric vehicle initiatives will be implemented across different states and how fare reductions will be monitored.

For millions of Nigerians who depend on public transportation daily, the success of the initiative will ultimately be measured by whether the lower operating costs of alternative-fuel vehicles translate into cheaper transport fares, rather than simply reducing expenses for transport operators.

The President’s declaration that “cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares” therefore places the focus on ensuring that the financial benefits of Nigeria’s energy transition reach ordinary commuters.

Tinubu, APC governors set October 1 target for cheaper transport fares nationwide

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu gives N819m to 1,638 widows of fallen heroes

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has provided N819 million in financial support to 1,638 widows of fallen military and police personnel who died in the line of duty between 2023 and 2026.

The intervention was announced on Thursday in Abuja during the second edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme for Widows of Fallen Heroes, which is aimed at supporting families of security personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.

Under the programme, each of the 1,638 beneficiaries will receive N500,000 to either start a new business or recapitalise an existing one. The initiative is designed to help the widows strengthen their livelihoods and meet the needs of their families.

Tinubu said the financial assistance was both a recognition of the sacrifices made by the fallen personnel and an effort to provide practical support to the families they left behind.

She described the beneficiaries as women who had endured significant pain and hardship following the loss of their husbands, while praising their resilience and courage.

The First Lady said military and police families often live with the uncertainty associated with the risks of frontline and security service, adding that spouses also make considerable sacrifices in supporting personnel who serve the country.

She commended the widows for standing by their husbands during their years of service and for continuing to care for their families despite the challenges created by their loss.

Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to regard themselves as survivors rather than victims and encouraged those who had been widowed for longer periods to provide emotional support to women who had more recently lost their spouses.

“We are here to offer a helping hand as you chart a new path forward,” she said.

The First Lady explained that the N819 million would be distributed between widows of fallen military personnel and police officers.

A total of N657.5 million will go to 1,315 widows of fallen military personnel, while N161.5 million will be provided to 323 widows of fallen police officers.

The two allocations bring the total intervention to N819 million for the 1,638 beneficiaries.

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Tinubu also recalled that the Renewed Hope Initiative had on November 14, 2023, provided N250,000 each to 1,420 widows and orphans of fallen heroes selected through the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, DEPOWA.

She said the latest programme covers widows whose husbands lost their lives in the line of duty since the assumption of office of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the First Lady, the intervention is intended to enable beneficiaries to invest in businesses that can generate income and provide longer-term financial support for their households.

She commended Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for supporting the compilation and verification of records of eligible beneficiaries from 2023 to date.

Tinubu also said President Bola Tinubu recognised the sacrifices of security personnel who died while protecting Nigerians and safeguarding the country.

Speaking at the event, Oluyede thanked the President, the First Lady and Hajiya Nana Shettima, Vice-Chairperson of the RHI, for extending support to families of fallen heroes.

The Chief of Defence Staff described the intervention as a demonstration of national solidarity and compassion, saying it complemented existing institutional efforts to support families of personnel who died in service.

Oluyede said the initiative also reassured serving military personnel that the country recognised their sacrifices and remained concerned about the welfare of their families.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the financial support judiciously, particularly for their welfare, their children’s education and future development.

The Inspector-General of Police similarly described the intervention as an expression of compassionate leadership and appreciation for the sacrifices of fallen officers.

Disu said the impact of losing a security officer extends beyond the individual because families left behind often continue to face emotional and financial difficulties.

He said the intervention sent a message that the country had not forgotten either the fallen personnel or the families they left behind.

“When a nation loses a hero, the sacrifice does not end with that hero. It continues in the homes, the hearts and the daily struggles of families left behind,” the IGP said.

Some beneficiaries have indicated plans to invest the N500,000 support in existing businesses or livelihood activities.

One of them, Salomi Gideon Gwaza, widow of late Commander G.Y. Gwaza, said she intended to use the funds to strengthen her business.

Gwaza’s husband died in July 2024 during an operation connected to the rescue of people from a distressed merchant vessel.

Another beneficiary, Olubunmi Oni, widow of late Major Segun Abiodun Oni, said she planned to use the intervention to rebuild and expand her fashion business, which she had struggled to maintain after her husband’s death.

The First Lady’s latest intervention is expected to provide immediate financial relief while helping beneficiaries establish or strengthen income-generating activities.

Beyond the monetary value of the programme, the initiative also seeks to recognise the sacrifices of fallen military and police personnel and reassure their families that their contributions to national security have not been forgotten.

Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to use the funds as a foundation for rebuilding their livelihoods and creating better opportunities for their children.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu gives N819m to 1,638 widows of fallen heroes