Nigerian officials report that attackers prepared tea while kidnapping over a hundred individuals in a prolonged, bloody operation.
In Kuchi village, Munya district, Niger state, a horrifying incident unfolded last Friday night. The assault began at around 5:30 pm and lasted until 4:00 am on Saturday morning, as per information from district official Aminu Abdulhamid Najume.
This region, which borders Nigeria's capital city Abuja, is a hotspot for ransom kidnappings orchestrated by armed groups. Niger state has witnessed a series of such crimes in recent years - including mass abductions.
According to Najume, approximately 300 attackers rode into the village on motorbikes and settled in for a few hours before taking the abducted individuals. Najume recounted how the assailants made a fire to keep warm because it was raining all day, prepared food, cooked and drank tea, and even made Indomie (instant noodles) and spaghetti.
Some of the casualties included members of a local vigilante group who attempted to challenge the invaders but were ultimately overpowered. Najume further explained that no rescue efforts had been initiated by security personnel yet. “The police visited Kuchi yesterday [Sunday] and left, without taking any further action,” he said.
A spokesman for the Niger State Police Command could not be reached for comment by CNN.
Najume reveals that Kuchi has been targeted by kidnappers for ransom on multiple occasions, with this being the fifth time. No requests have been made by the abductors regarding the most recent abduction.
Amnesty International highlighted its concern over the kidnapping event in a Facebook post on Sunday. The agency condemned the Nigerian authorities for leaving rural communities unprotected, leaving them vulnerable to the violence of armed groups.
Amnesty International also pointed out that Kuchi has seen repeated attacks. Since 2021, the village has been under constant threat from gunmen, who have tormented women and girls in their homes.
Nigeria's security forces continue to battle insurgent groups in the country's northern regions. This most recent abduction in Kuchi echoes a similar incident in Rafi district two months ago, where 21 lives were lost when attackers descended upon a market and took ransom.
In March, 137 schoolchildren were abducted from Kaduna, Niger's neighboring state. After a ransom demand of 1 billion naira ($675,000) and a threat to execute them if their demands weren't met, the children were eventually released.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Dikes withstand water masses so far - Scholz holds out the prospect of help
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
Despite the ongoing issues with ransom kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in regions like Niger state, the international community has yet to take significant action to protect African communities from these armed groups.
The escalating violence in African villages, such as Kuchi, calls for the world to take notice and implement measures to ensure the safety of these vulnerable populations.
Source: edition.cnn.com
