Armed Men Kidnap Dozens in Nigeria's Niger State
· World · Al Jazeera, Sky News
Armed men kidnapped dozens of people from a mosque and surrounding villages in the Dekara district of Nigeria's Niger State on Friday. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident and the deployment of a joint security detachment for rescue operations, though the exact number of abductees remains unconfirmed. Local residents reported that more than 60 worshippers were taken during the assault, which survivors attributed to the Lakurawa armed group. A separate group known as Mahmuda reportedly intervened in the fighting, allowing some individuals to escape. The region has experienced increased activity from armed groups near the border with Benin, and reports indicate that landmines were subsequently planted on roads in the area.
Why it matters
The mass abduction underscores the persistent security crisis in central Nigeria, where local armed groups continue to threaten civilian populations and disrupt regional stability.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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