Kathmandu— Gunmen abducted as many as 600 people during Friday prayers at a mosque in Dekera village, Niger state, Nigeria, and subsequently released a video showing the captives being held in a forested area. The incident occurred two days before the video surfaced on Sunday, circulating widely via social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, and underscores the escalating security challenges facing Nigeria as it prepares for presidential elections in January. Residents have begun identifying family members within the footage, while authorities remain largely silent regarding the mass kidnapping. The abductions are part of a growing trend of mass kidnappings for ransom across northern Nigeria.

Mass Abduction Confirmed by Video

The video shows a large group of people held captive in what appears to be a forested location, with children audibly crying. A gunman speaking Hausa addresses the families of those abducted, requesting they identify their relatives. “These are all your people,” he stated in the footage. While news agencies have been unable to independently verify the exact date and location of the video’s creation, no prior versions exist online before its release on Sunday.

Local Residents Identify Hostages

Residents of Dekera village have confirmed identifying individuals within the released video. Abdulmutallib Muqaddas Dindi stated that he and others were able to recognize elders, relatives, wives, and children among those being held captive. The simultaneous raids on multiple communities in the area resulted in a large number of people taken against their will.

Growing Security Concerns Ahead of Elections

The mass kidnapping comes as Nigeria prepares for presidential elections in January, with security expected to be a key issue for voters. President Bola Tinubu has faced increasing criticism regarding the country’s lax security situation. Mass abductions for ransom have become increasingly common in northwestern and north-central Nigeria, with armed gangs targeting villages, schools, and highways.

Authorities Respond

State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Obed Nana told Anadolu news agency that an operation is underway to “assess the situation, track the attackers, and facilitate the rescue of the abducted worshippers.” Amnesty International has also urged Nigerian authorities to secure the release of those kidnapped, warning about the increasing threat posed by mass abductions in northern Nigeria. Police and state authorities have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Authorities are currently conducting operations to locate the attackers and attempt a rescue, but no further details regarding their progress have been released as of this reporting.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.