A video appearing to show hundreds of women, children and elderly people being held by armed men has emerged following a mosque attack in Nigeria’s Niger State. Residents estimate that as many as 600 people were abducted, underscoring the growing scale of insecurity in the country’s north-central region.
The footage, circulated online, shows large groups of people seated in what appears to be a forested area, surrounded by armed men. Children can be heard crying as one of the gunmen addresses the captives.
Residents told Reuters that about 600 people were abducted during attacks on communities in the area. However, the figure could not be independently verified, and Reuters said it could not verify the video’s authenticity.
The footage emerged after gunmen attacked worshippers at a mosque in Dekara village during Friday prayers, according to residents. The attackers also reportedly raided several surrounding communities, taking residents into nearby forests.
Police confirmed an attack in the area but said they were unable to establish the exact number of people abducted. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said security forces had been deployed to assess the situation and begin rescue efforts.
