Security forces have reportedly arrested a suspected fighter linked to the Lakurawa terrorist group in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, as military operations intensify against the group following a wave of coordinated attacks and mass abductions across several communities.
The suspect, identified as Dego, was reportedly arrested in the western axis of Borgu LGA, according to conflict reporter Bakatsine, who disclosed the development in a post on X on Thursday.
Dego is alleged to be linked to attacks and mass abductions around Dekara, where local sources reportedly say more than 500 women, men and children remain in captivity.
His reported arrest is expected to be significant for ongoing security operations, particularly if security agencies are able to obtain information about the group’s movements, operational networks, hideouts and the possible locations where the abducted residents are being held.
Bakatsine said the development came as troops stepped up operations against Lakurawa fighters operating in the Borgu axis.
“UPDATE: Security forces have reportedly arrested a Lakurawa fighter identified as Dego in the western axis of Borgu LGA, Niger State.
“He is linked to attacks and mass abductions around Dekara, where locals report that more than 500 women, men and children are still being held captive.
“The reported arrest comes as troops step up operations against Lakurawa fighters in the Borgu axis.
“Dego could provide crucial intelligence on the group’s movements, networks and the possible location of the hostages. The priority now should be using that intelligence to find and safely rescue those still in captivity,” he wrote.
The reported arrest comes less than two weeks after terrorists carried out coordinated attacks on several communities in Borgu, abducting scores of residents, including worshippers who had gathered for Friday prayers.
Chronicles Reporters gathered from previous reports by SaharaReporters that the attacks occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, at about 2:00pm, when residents were preparing for or attending Jumu’ah prayers.
The attackers reportedly first struck Gidan-Zana and Kpenya before entering a mosque in Kpenya, where worshippers had gathered for Friday prayers.
Residents said the terrorists subsequently abducted people from Gidan-Zana, Masaka, Sabon Gida and other surrounding communities.
Although the exact number of victims has not been independently established, reports at the time suggested that as many as 600 people may have been taken during the coordinated attacks.
A resident who spoke about the incident said the timing and pattern of the attacks suggested that the communities and worshippers were deliberately targeted.
“They attacked when people were going for Jumu’ah prayers. They first went to Gidan-Zana and Kpenya, and then they entered the mosque at Kpenya and started taking people away,” the resident said.
“People were also taken from Gidan Zana, Masaka, Sabon Gida and other nearby villages. The attacks happened almost at the same time, so it was clearly coordinated.”
Among those reportedly abducted was the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara, as well as the Chief Imam of Dekara Central Mosque.
A community source said the abduction of the elderly man and the religious leader had heightened anxiety among residents already living under growing security threats.
“Among those taken is the 90-year-old father of our District Head. The Chief Imam of the Central Mosque in Dekara was also abducted,” the source said.
The attacks were reportedly preceded by demands for levies and the enforcement of strict religious rules on communities in the area.
According to a community source, residents rejected the demands, fuelling fears that the refusal could trigger retaliation by the terrorists.
The subsequent attacks have renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Borgu, particularly the vulnerability of remote communities where residents have expressed fears over their ability to withstand repeated attacks and mass abductions.
The situation has also raised concerns about the safety of worshippers, with the reported targeting of a mosque during Jumu’ah prayers adding another dimension to the security threat facing communities in the area.
Following the attacks, a video purportedly showing scores of abducted men and women emerged.
In the footage, a suspected leader of the terrorist group was seen addressing the captives and asking relatives to identify their loved ones.
The emergence of the video reportedly intensified anxiety among families who were still unable to establish the whereabouts or safety of relatives taken during the attacks.
With the reported arrest of Dego, attention is now expected to turn to whether security agencies can extract actionable intelligence that could lead troops to the abductees and facilitate their safe rescue.
For families whose relatives remain missing, the immediate priority is the recovery of the victims, many of whom have reportedly remained in captivity since the attacks.
The reported development also comes amid intensified military operations in the Borgu axis, as security forces seek to dismantle the Lakurawa network and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.
However, the reported arrest and allegations against Dego have not been independently verified by Chronicles Reporters, and security authorities had not, as of the time of filing this report, publicly provided detailed confirmation of the arrest or disclosed the identity of the suspect.
The actual number of people still being held captive also remains unclear, with figures ranging from more than 500 to about 600 reported in connection with the mass abductions.
Residents and families affected by the attacks are now looking to security agencies for urgent action to locate the abducted men, women and children and bring them home safely.