QatarArmed men in Nigeria's central Niger State attacked three villages and a mosque, kidnapping dozens of people according to survivors and police officials. The attackers, identified by a survivor as members of the Lakurawa armed group, stormed the Kpenya Mosque in the Dekara district after first attacking nearby villages. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that while they were aware of the kidnappings, there were no confirmed fatalities, though local residents claimed over 60 worshippers were taken. A separate group called Mahmuda reportedly intervened, leading to clashes that allowed some captives to escape. Federal lawmaker Jafaru Mohammed noted that nearby villages were also targeted. The violence occurred in a region near Nigeria's border with Benin, where armed groups have become increasingly active. Survivors described the attackers as using weapons including guns, knives, and machetes, and reported that the group returned to the area to seize more people as a 'bargaining chip' ahead of an expected military deployment, planting landmines along the way. A resident recounted that a family was killed when their vehicle struck a landmine planted by the attackers.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the attack without overtly favoring any particular political ideology or group. It includes multiple perspectives, such as statements from police officials, survivors, and federal lawmakers, and does not take sides in the conflict between the Lakurawa andMah
