Nigeria: Jihadis kidnap dozens during Friday prayers

Dozens of worshippers were kidnapped during Friday prayers in Niger State, Nigeria, as armed militants stormed a mosque in the village of Kpenya, local authorities confirmed on Saturday. The attack occurred amid ongoing instability in northern Nigeria, where jihadi groups continue to pose a threat despite a decline in large-scale insurgent activity over recent years. Survivors described the assault as brutal, with attackers using firearms, knives, and machetes to carry out the abduction and reportedly killing some villagers. The incident unfolded shortly after the completion of Friday prayers at the mosque in Kpenya, according to a survivor who spoke to AFP. The assailants, believed to be in the hundreds, entered the village and targeted the mosque, taking hostages and causing panic among the gathered worshippers. One eyewitness recounted how the attackers claimed to be enforcing “true Islamic teachings” while carrying out the violence. Local residents estimated that up to 60 individuals were taken captive, though exact numbers remain unclear. Some witnesses also reported fatalities, but police stated that initial reports suggested no lives had been lost. Identifying the perpetrators has proven challenging, as Nigerian security forces have yet to officially confirm which group carried out the attack. However, local accounts point to possible involvement from multiple jihadi factions operating in the region. One resident told AFP that the attackers appeared to belong to Lakurawa, a group linked by researchers to the Islamic State Sahel Province. Another witness suggested the attackers were affiliated with Ansaru, a splinter group that broke away from Boko Haram and later aligned itself with al-Qaeda. A third faction, Mahmuda, reportedly engaged in a confrontation with the attackers, allowing some of the captives to escape. The attack highlights the continued presence of extremist networks in northern Nigeria, even as overall jihadi activity has waned compared to the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency a decade ago. While the government has made efforts to counter these threats through military operations and intelligence gathering, resources remain stretched thin due to overlapping conflicts involving both ideological and non-ideological criminal elements. In addition to jihadi groups, communities in the north also face violence from bandits, non-religious gangs that engage in kidnapping and other forms of extortion. Nigerian authorities have been working to develop new technologies to combat insurgencies, including the deployment of drones to monitor and respond to attacks in remote areas. These measures reflect a broader strategy aimed at improving surveillance and response capabilities against groups such as Boko Haram, Ansaru, and others. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in addressing the root causes of extremism and ensuring long-term stability in regions affected by conflict. Security officials have not ruled out the possibility of further attacks in the coming days, given the volatile nature of the situation in Niger State. Meanwhile, families of the abducted individuals are anxiously awaiting updates from local authorities and hoping for the safe return of their loved ones. The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of civilians in areas frequently targeted by militant groups, prompting calls for increased protection and more robust counterinsurgency strategies. Residents in the area expressed fear and frustration, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures to prevent future attacks. As investigations into the incident continue, the identity of the attackers and the fate of the kidnapped individuals remain uncertain, adding to the tension in a region already grappling with persistent insecurity.