A video circulating online appears to show around 600 worshippers, including women and children, held captive in a forested area after being abducted from a mosque in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State. The footage, which surfaced on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, depicts large groups of people seated while surrounded by armed men, with the sounds of crying children audible in the background.

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become a pervasive problem in parts of north-western and north-central Nigeria. These heavily armed gangs frequently target villages, schools, and highways, holding victims until substantial sums of money are paid. While the violence was once largely confined to the country's northern regions, the perpetrators have increasingly expanded their operations southward.

The video emerged two days after the alleged kidnapping incident, which occurred when gunmen attacked worshippers at a mosque in Dekara village during Friday prayers. Residents reported that simultaneous raids were conducted on several surrounding communities during the attack.

In the released video, a gunman speaking in Hausa directly addressed the families of the captives. He urged them to identify their relatives among the individuals shown in the footage, stating, "These are all your people. We are showing you this video so that you can identify your family members, your fathers, mothers, children and relatives."

Reuters has been unable to independently verify the exact date or location where the video was filmed. However, no earlier versions of the video were found online before Sunday. Several residents have confirmed the identities of some of the abducted individuals shown in the footage.

"The people in the video are from Dekara. I’ve identified 13 people that I know," stated one resident, Ibrahim Abubakar. Another local resident, Abdulmutallib Muqaddas Dindi, confirmed that those featured in the video were among those seized during Friday prayers. "We have identified our elders, relatives, and some of us have seen their wives and children in the video," he added.

The incident highlights the escalating security challenges in Niger State and surrounding areas, where such attacks have become increasingly common. The Nigerian military has been engaged in security drills in the region, reflecting the ongoing efforts to combat the widespread banditry and kidnapping operations.

Authorities are reportedly investigating the incident, but the release of the video suggests a new tactic by the armed groups to exert pressure on families and authorities for ransom payments. The long-term implications for the affected communities and the broader security landscape in Nigeria remain a significant concern.