Al Qaeda Affiliate Takes Two Russians Hostage In Niger
Emmanuel EjioforAugust 5, 20241 Mins read408 
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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