Nigeria launches hunt for hundreds of kidnapped mosque worshippers - Al Jazeera
The Nigerian government has launched a major rescue operation to find approximately 600 worshippers kidnapped from a mosque in Niger State. The mass abduction has become a significant political issue ahead of the upcoming January presidential election.
Why it matters
The rise in mass kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria highlights severe security challenges and their direct impact on national political stability.
With elections set for January, President Tinubu seeks to clamp down on kidnapping trend in northern Nigeria.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info An estimated 600 worshippers were kidnapped at a mosque in northern Nigeria last week. [File: Sunday Alamba/AP] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 26 Aug 2026 26 Aug 2026 Nigeria has launched a hunt for hundreds of people kidnapped from mosques in the north of the country.
The military and other security services began the operation on Wednesday after President Bola Tinubu ordered a major rescue mission to find an estimated 600 worshippers who were abducted from an area around Dekera village in north-central Niger State last week.
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