Al Qaeda Affiliate Takes Two Russians Hostage In Niger

An al Qaeda affiliate in West Africa’s Sahel region has taken two Russian citizens hostage in Niger. The group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) released a video on Friday showing the two captives.

In the video, the captives, who spoke in Russian-accented English, identified themselves as Yuri, a geologist, and Greg, who said he had been in Niger for a month. They stated they were taken hostage in Mbanga, about 60km west of Niger’s capital, Niamey.

The video did not specify when the two were captured or include a ransom demand.

A security source in Niger told Reuters that the two Russians were taken hostage about a week ago while visiting gold mines in the Tillaberi region. Tillaberi is known for its gold deposits and is a hotspot for Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

Niger’s junta, which took power in a coup last year, has expelled Western forces from the country and leaned closer to Russia as the Sahel country continues its fight against insurgency.

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