A video posted online shows what residents say are roughly 600 people abducted during an attack on a mosque in Nigeria's north-central Niger State, according to the Guardian.
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Key facts
- Gunmen attacked worshippers in Dekara village on Friday, taking women, children and older people.
- Residents said about 600 people were abducted in the attack on a mosque in Niger State.
- A video posted on Facebook and WhatsApp showed large groups of people seated in a forested area surrounded by armed men.
- Several children could be heard crying in the background of the footage.
- The attack took place in Nigeria's north-central Niger State.
An armed group has posted a video showing what residents said were about 600 women, children and older people abducted in an attack on a mosque in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State last week, according to the Guardian.
The attack took place in Dekara village on Friday, when gunmen targeted worshippers and took away women, children and older people, the Guardian reported.
The video, which was posted on Facebook and WhatsApp, showed large groups of people seated in a forested area surrounded by armed men, according to the outlet.
Several children could be heard crying in the background of the footage, the Guardian reported.
The scale of the reported abduction, put at about 600 people by residents, marks one of the mass kidnappings that have affected communities in Nigeria’s north-central region.
The Guardian’s account is based on residents’ descriptions of the attack and the video circulated by the armed group.
Why it matters
Mass abductions in Nigeria have repeatedly targeted vulnerable civilians, including women and children, raising serious concerns about security in affected regions. The reported captivity of hundreds of people underscores the ongoing threat posed by armed groups to communities in the country's north-central states.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were reportedly abducted?
Residents said about 600 women, children and older people were abducted, according to the Guardian.
Where did the attack take place?
The attack occurred in Dekara village in Nigeria's north-central Niger State, where gunmen attacked worshippers at a mosque on Friday.
What does the video show?
The video, posted on Facebook and WhatsApp, showed large groups of people seated in a forested area surrounded by armed men, with several children heard crying in the background.
Timeline
- Video shows hundreds held captive after Nigeria mosque kidnapping
The Guardian World: Gunmen attacked worshippers in Dekara village on Friday taking women, children and older people An armed group has posted a video showing what residents said were about 600 women, children and older people abducted in an attack on a mosque in Nigeria’s north-central Niger Sta