Armed men attack three villages in Nigeria, kidnap dozens

Police in Nigeria have reported that armed men attacked three villages in the country's central Niger State, kidnapping dozens of residents.

According to police, a mosque was also targeted during the raids, with worshippers among those abducted. The exact number of people taken has not been confirmed, but authorities describe the total as dozens of victims.

Regional context

Niger State, located in central Nigeria, has in recent years experienced repeated attacks by armed groups, often linked to kidnapping for ransom. Such incidents have become a recurring challenge across rural parts of the country, where local security forces frequently lack the resources to provide adequate protection.

Police have confirmed the attacks occurred but have not yet released further details about the identity or motives of the attackers, nor about the status of any ongoing investigation. It also remains unclear whether any of the kidnapped individuals have been released or located.