Kidnappers release video showing hundreds abducted from Nigerian mosque

Mass kidnappings highlight Nigeria’s security crisis in the north as elections approach.Kidnappers have released a video of what appears to be a large group of people being held captive by armed men in a forested area in Nigeria.The video emerged on Sunday, two days after gunmen abducted as many as 600 worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in Dekera village in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Armed men kidnap dozens in attacks on Nigerian villageslist 2 of 3Nigeria announces rescue of 308 kidnapped citizenslist 3 of 3Dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers rescued in Nigeriaend of listThe incident comes as Nigeria prepares for Presidential elections in January, with security likely to be high on the agenda due to a wave of Mass kidnappings for ransom across the north of the country.Dekera village residents have reported that gunmen took people away in simultaneous raids on several communities.In the video, posted on Facebook and WhatsApp and circulating widely, children can be heard crying. A gunman speaking in the Hausa language speaks directly to families of the captives, telling them to identify relatives.“These are all your people,” the gunman ⁠says.News agencies reported that they could not verify the exact date or location where the video was filmed. However, no older version of the video has been found posted online before Sunday.Residents, including Abdulmutallib Muqaddas Dindi, were able to confirm the identities of some ⁠of the hostages.“We have identified our elders, relatives, and some of us have seen their wives and children in the video,” he said.Police and state authorities have not responded to requests for comment.Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to secure the release of the worshippers, warning of the growing threat posed by mass abductions in northern Nigeria.