In brief
President Bola Tinubu ordered a manhunt for armed kidnappers who raided four villages in Niger state, Nigeria, after they released a video on social media showing abductees in a forest. Local residents say up to 500 people were taken, with more than 40 confirmed dead, including an elderly man identified by a community leader. The attackers dressed in military‑style clothing planted improvised explosive devices, killing a teenage boy during an escape attempt. Tinubu condemned the attacks and pledged that those responsible will be brought to justice. The incident highlights rising insecurity in the Borgu area, bordering Benin, with concerns about growing jihadist activity.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a nationwide search for armed militants who raided four villages—Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida and Masaka—in Niger state last Friday. The attack came after the kidnappers posted a video on social media showing suspected abductees seated in a forest and warning locals of further violence.
According to residents, the attackers targeted mosques during prayers and possibly abducted as many as 500 people, though the number has not been confirmed. Local police report over 40 deaths, with additional injuries treated at hospitals nearby. The attackers also planted improvised explosive devices that killed a teenage boy when he tried to abandon the forest.
In a press statement, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga condemned the killings and vowed justice for the victims, urging that the perpetrators would not escape unscathed. The incident underscores the growing insecurity in the Borgu area, which borders Benin and neighboring Nigerian states, and raises concerns about the encroachment of jihadist and extremist groups.
