Nigeria: Jihadists kill and kidnap dozens of people in central Nigeria, survivors say

Survivors described scenes of chaos and violence after suspected jihadists attacked two villages in central Nigeria during Friday prayers, killing and abducting dozens of people, according to local residents and officials. The assault took place in the state of Niger, near the town of Borgu, and was carried out by a group known as Lakurawa, which some researchers have linked to the Islamic State’s Sahel Province, active in neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Survivors recounted how the attackers struck shortly after the weekly prayer ended, using firearms, knives, and machetes to carry out the attack. The incident occurred in the village of Dikera, located within the Borgu local government area, and reportedly spread to nearby Binzi. According to Jibril Ahmad, a survivor from Dikera, the attackers began their assault immediately after the Friday prayers concluded. “They started attacking us right after the usual Friday prayer ended,” he told AFP. He added that Lakurawa, composed of hundreds of armed fighters, had “massacred some of our people” and “taken many others hostage.” Some survivors managed to escape when another jihadist group, known as Mahmuda, intervened and began targeting the attackers. The exact number of casualties and those abducted remained unclear, with both Ahmad and federal lawmaker Jafaru Mohammed stating that the toll was still unknown. The attack adds to a long-running conflict in Nigeria, where jihadist groups have been active for over 17 years. These groups have frequently used abductions as a key tactic, including the infamous 2014 kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok, which drew international attention. Nigeria has faced increasing instability in recent years, particularly in the north-eastern regions, where Boko Haram once held sway. However, the latest attack occurred in western Nigeria, a region experiencing a surge in activity by both local armed groups and Sahelian militants following the fragmentation of broader conflicts in the region. The police in Niger state confirmed they were aware of the abduction but stated they had received no reports of fatalities. The attack highlights the growing threat posed by jihadist groups operating in different parts of the country. While the primary focus of the insurgency has traditionally been in the north-east, the shift to the west underscores the evolving nature of the conflict. Local authorities have struggled to contain the violence, often lacking the resources and coordination needed to respond effectively to such attacks. Residents in the affected areas expressed fear and frustration over the continued presence of armed groups. Many have called for increased security measures and better protection for communities vulnerable to such attacks. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has been under pressure to address the root causes of the conflict, including poverty, lack of education, and political marginalization in certain regions. The involvement of Lakurawa and Mahmuda in the attack raises questions about the alliances and rivalries among different jihadist factions in the region. Researchers have noted that these groups often operate independently but sometimes collaborate or compete for influence and territory. The complexity of these dynamics makes it difficult for security forces to develop effective counter-strategies. Local leaders and community members have urged the national government to take immediate action to secure the area and provide support to the victims and their families. They emphasized the need for a coordinated response involving military, police, and civilian authorities to prevent further attacks and restore stability to the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the focus will remain on understanding the full extent of the attack and its implications for regional security.