Nigerian security crisis deepens as kidnappers release video of mosque abductees
Footage of captives in a forested area emerged two days after gunmen raided a mosque in Niger state, raising fresh scrutiny of government security management ahead of January’s presidential election.
Kidnappers have released video footage showing hundreds of people held captive by armed men in a forested area in Nigeria. The video emerged on Sunday, two days after gunmen abducted as many as 600 worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in Dekera village, in the north-central Niger state.
The incident underscores the severity of the security crisis in the region as Nigeria prepares for presidential elections in January. Mass kidnappings for ransom have become a common feature in northwestern and north-central Nigeria, with armed gangs frequently targeting villages, schools, and highways.
In the footage, which has been circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp, children can be heard crying while a gunman speaking in the Hausa language urges families to identify their relatives. Although news agencies have not been able to verify the exact date or location of the filming, no older version of the video was found online prior to Sunday.
Residents of Dekera village, including Abdulmutallib Muqaddas Dindi, have confirmed the identities of some of the hostages. Dindi stated that community members had identified their elders, relatives, and family members in the video. He noted that some residents had seen their wives and children among the captives.
State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Obed Nana told the Anadolu news agency that an operation is currently under way to assess the situation, track the attackers, and facilitate the rescue of the abducted worshippers. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to secure the release of the worshippers, warning of the growing threat posed by mass abductions in the north.
President Bola Tinubu faces increasing criticism over what critics describe as lax security management. The current wave of abductions has intensified pressure on the administration to demonstrate effective governance in the lead-up to the national vote.
