{
  "id": 2625283,
  "title": "Scores of people kidnapped from a mosque as armed groups attacked multiple villages in Nigeria",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/scores-of-people-kidnapped-from-a-mosque-as-armed-groups-attacked-2625283",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T18:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-kidnappings-spree-villages-niger-df9678a01c1e096404964496d5e6f905"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 22, 2026, armed assailants launched a series of kidnappings from a mosque in Kpenya village during Friday prayers in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state, according to police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun. The attack followed a string of similar assaults in remote villages within the Borgu Local Government Area, the spokesperson added. While no casualties have been reported, residents reported the abduction of between 60 and 80 individuals, with some estimating as many as 80 people taken captive. The military was deployed to the area, and a search for survivors was underway on Saturday. Borgu area council chairman Abdullahi Mohammed Nasir confirmed the abduction of at least 60 people, mentioning that many others sustained gunshot injuries while attempting to escape the gunmen. A resident also reported that his 85-year-old father was among those abducted.",
  "summary": "A number of people were kidnapped from a mosque in a spree of abductions at several villages in Nigeria ‘s north-central Niger state, police said Saturday. The assailants attacked a mosque in Kpenya village after attacks in a string of villages in the remote Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state Friday, police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said. Such attacks are common in…",
  "key_points": [
    "Armed assailants kidnapped 60-80 people from a mosque in Kpenya village on Friday, August 22, 2026.",
    "Attack followed a series of similar assaults in remote villages within Borgu Local Government Area.",
    "Military deployed and search for survivors underway; 85-year-old man among abducted."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Dozens of people abducted in attacks on villages in Nigeria, police say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/dozens-of-people-abducted-in-attacks-on-villages-in-nigeria-police-say",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:05:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Nigeria: Jihadis kidnap dozens during Friday prayers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/nigeria-jihadis-kidnap-dozens-during-friday-prayers",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:22:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Scores of people kidnapped from a mosque as armed groups attacked multiple villages in Nigeria",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/scores-of-people-kidnapped-from-a-mosque-as-armed-groups-attacked",
        "published": "2026-08-22T18:21:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}