Nigeria Launches Major Rescue Operation for Hundreds Kidnapped at Mosque

Nigeria has launched a large-scale security operation to rescue hundreds of worshippers abducted from a mosque in Niger State.

President Bola Tinubu ordered the military, police, intelligence agencies and other security forces to coordinate an immediate rescue mission following the mass kidnapping.

An estimated 600 worshippers were abducted around Dekera village in north-central Niger State last week. A video later emerged showing what appeared to be hundreds of captives being held by armed men in a forest.

Authorities said the exact location and date of the video could not be independently verified. However, children could be heard crying while an armed man speaking Hausa appeared to address the families of the captives.

A local official said 30 people were killed during the attacks and were buried on Sunday. The head of the Dekera community also said at least 2,000 residents fled into neighbouring Benin following the violence.

The mass kidnapping comes as kidnappings for ransom continue to increase in northern Nigeria, making insecurity a major political issue ahead of the January presidential election.

President Tinubu condemned the attack and assured the victims' families that the government would continue working until those abducted were safely recovered.

He also directed security chiefs to provide regular updates on the rescue operation, stressing that Nigeria would defend its citizens and communities.

Security experts said it was still unclear which armed group was responsible for the abductions, but warned that the kidnappers could demand ransom for the release of the victims.

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