Some 160 villagers were reported taken in a deadly raid
Officials report that ten people have been killed and at least 160 villagers kidnapped from a remote community in Nigeria’s central Niger state.
According to local official Aminu Abdulhamid Najume, a large group of armed men, suspected to be from Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram, attacked Kuchi village on Friday night.
Najume informed the BBC’s World Service that the kidnapped individuals were primarily women and children, while those killed included local hunters providing security for the area.
The attackers reportedly arrived in Kuchi on motorbikes, spending over two hours in the village, during which they cooked food, made tea and looted houses before departing.
Najume, who chairs the Council of the Munya Local Government Area, said the Kuchi community has been left traumatized and is anxiously awaiting news of the kidnapped individuals.
Amnesty International expressed its “deep concern” over the mass abduction on social media, stating that “the invasion of the village by the gunmen is yet another indication of the Nigerian authorities’ utter failure to protect lives.”
“Since 2021 gunmen have been consistently attacking Kuchi village and raping women and girls in their matrimonial homes.
“From time to time, the gunmen demand millions of Naira as ransom from the people to avoid being kidnapped.
“Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to end these spate of abductions and bring suspected perpetrators to justice. Frequent mass abductions and killings are clear evidence of failure of authorities to protect the people.”
Attacks in Niger state have become increasingly common although it has often been unclear if the gunmen have any links to jihadist groups.
Last month several villages were targeted by armed gangs kidnapping for ransom.
