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NIGER STATE, Nigeria — A deadly attack on the remote village of Kuchi in Nigeria's central Niger state has left ten people dead and at least 160 villagers kidnapped, officials reported.
The attack occurred on Friday night and was carried out by a large number of armed men, suspected to be from the militant Islamist group Boko Haram, according to local official Aminu Abdulhamid Najume.
Najume, who chairs the Council of the Munya Local Government Area, told the BBC's World Service that the kidnapped individuals were mostly women and children, while those killed included local hunters who were providing security for the area.
The gunmen reportedly rode into Kuchi on motorbikes and spent more than two hours in the village, cooking food, making tea, and looting houses before leaving. The Kuchi community has been left traumatized and anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
Amnesty International expressed "deep concern" over the mass abduction, highlighting the Nigerian authorities' failure to protect lives. "The invasion of the village by the gunmen is yet another indication of the Nigerian authorities' utter failure to protect lives," Amnesty International stated on social media.
They called on the Nigerian authorities to end the spate of abductions and bring the perpetrators to justice, noting that frequent mass abductions and killings are clear evidence of the authorities' failure to protect the people.
Attacks in Niger state have become increasingly common, although it is often unclear if the gunmen have direct links to jihadist groups. Last month, several villages were targeted by armed gangs kidnapping for ransom, further contributing to the region's instability and fear.
