An Al Qaeda-affiliated group in West Africa’s Sahel region has claimed responsibility for the abduction of two Russian nationals in Niger, according to a video released by the group on Friday. This development has heightened concerns about the security situation in the region, which is increasingly plagued by Islamist insurgencies.
The video, released by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), features statements from the two captives who appear on camera. The men claim they were working for a Russian company in southwest Niger when they were taken hostage.
Speaking in Russian-accented English, the captives identified themselves as Russian citizens. They reported being captured in Mbanga, a location approximately 60 km (40 miles) west of Niger’s capital, Niamey. However, the video does not specify when the abduction occurred.
One of the captives, identifying himself as Yuri, stated he was a geologist, while the other, named Greg, mentioned he had arrived in Niger just a month prior.
Details about where and when the video was filmed remain unclear. The captives are shown in front of a backdrop made of traditional West African cloth. The video notably lacks any ransom demands, adding to the mystery surrounding the kidnapping.
Russia’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation.
A security source in Niger, speaking anonymously, indicated that the Russians were abducted about a week ago while they were visiting local gold mines.
Mbanga is located in the gold-rich Tillaberi region, an area known for the presence of Islamist militants affiliated with both Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. These groups have established significant control over parts of Niger, as well as neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, creating a challenging security environment.
Since a military coup last year, Niger’s junta has been distancing itself from Western influences while forging closer military and economic ties with Russia. This shift mirrors similar moves by military leaders in Mali and Burkina Faso, who have sought Russian support amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
The kidnapping of Russian citizens highlights the increasing risks faced by foreign nationals working in Niger and underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Sahel region.
Reuters
