Nigeria Launches Massive Search for 600 Kidnapped Worshippers
Hundreds of people were kidnapped from mosques in northern Nigeria last week. Nigeria has now started a huge search operation to find them. President Bola Tinubu ordered this major rescue mission on Wednesday.
About 600 worshippers were taken from Dekera village in Niger State. President Tinubu posted on social media Tuesday. He directed all security and intelligence groups to work together. Their mission is to rescue the victims.
Many kidnappings for ransom have risen in northern Nigeria this year. This issue is now politically important. A presidential election is in January. Security will be a main topic.
On Sunday, kidnappers released a video. It showed many people held captive by armed men in a forest. Children could be heard crying. A gunman spoke in Hausa, telling families to identify relatives.
News agencies could not confirm when or where the video was filmed. However, it was not seen before Sunday. An official from the district said 30 people were killed. They were buried on Sunday.
Amnesty International urged Nigeria to release the worshippers. The group warned about rising mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian presidency condemned the “cowardly attack.” It promised justice for those responsible.
President Tinubu spoke to the families of those killed and kidnapped. He told them, “You are not alone.” He promised the nation shared their pain. President Tinubu vowed to work until everyone was brought back safely.
Abubakar Umar is the head of the Dekera community. He told news agencies that at least 2,000 people fled their homes. They went into neighboring Benin after the attacks.
Northwest Nigeria is a path for arms and gunmen. This region also faces more attacks from Boko Haram and ISIL. Kabir Adamu, a security expert, believes gunmen will ask for ransom. He said the daylight kidnapping showed Nigeria’s security is not effective.
President Tinubu insisted, “terror will not scare Nigeria.” He promised to protect the people and their communities. He ordered security chiefs to give him regular updates until all kidnapped persons are found.
