Nigeria's president orders manhunt after kidnappers upload victim video

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has initiated a manhunt in response to armed kidnappers targeting four villages in Niger state last Friday. Local residents reported that several mosques were attacked during prayer services. The kidnappers allegedly released a video on social media showing abducted individuals in a forest. The exact number of victims remains unverified, but local estimates suggest up to 500 people may have been abducted.

Nigerian authorities suspect the attackers to be criminal gangs, jihadists, or separatists, given their pattern of kidnapping and ransom demands. Over 40 people were killed in the attacks, though the precise death toll is yet to be confirmed. A local youth leader identified several individuals from his community in the released video, providing hope to families who spotted their loved ones.

Many residents have fled their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring states or across the border in Benin. Some survivors are receiving medical attention, including treatment for severe injuries. The attackers are believed to have planted improvised explosive devices in affected communities, resulting in at least one death during an escape attempt.

Nigerian President Tinubu condemned the killings and abductions, vowing that those responsible would face justice. The attack highlights the escalating insecurity in the Borgu area, bordering Kebbi and Kwara states, as well as neighboring Benin. Previous incidents in the region have involved the rescue of 145 people from four other villages.

Local officials have expressed concerns over the presence of jihadist groups operating in parts of north-western Nigeria, stating that some fighters have entered communities and imposed religious restrictions on residents.