Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed a special rescue team to Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State following the abduction of scores of residents from communities in the area.

The team, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Victor Olaiya, comprises personnel from the state tactical team, Counter-Terrorism Squad, Department of State Services (DSS) and the military.

The deployment is part of coordinated efforts by security agencies to locate and rescue the abducted residents.

The Coordinator of the newly established Niger State Security Situation Room and Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, said the state government had provided the logistics required to support the rescue operation.

Other members of the Security Situation Room include the State Director of the DSS and the Commissioner of Police.

Magaji expressed concern over the mass abduction, assuring that the government remained committed to rescuing all the victims.

The Commissioner of Police, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the rescue operation commenced on Wednesday, with all available security platforms deployed to facilitate the safe and swift recovery of the victims.

Abiodun said security agencies were still working with residents and other local sources to establish the exact number of people abducted and those who may have been killed during the attack.

He also dismissed claims that there was no police presence in the affected communities, insisting that the force remained involved in efforts to secure the area.

The police spokesman appealed to members of the public to remain patient and avoid actions that could jeopardise the rescue efforts.

“Rescue operation is delicate to save lives; we should not lose lives,” Abiodun said.

Security agencies are expected to continue the coordinated operation until the victims are located and brought to safety.