An Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), released a video on Friday claiming responsibility for the kidnapping of two Russian nationals in Niger.
The video shows two men identifying themselves as Russians, stating they were abducted in the southwestern town of Mbanga while working for a Russian company.
One of the hostages, who called himself Yurit, said he was a geologist born in Russia but living in Ukraine.
The other, identified only as Greg, claimed to have arrived in Niger just a month prior to his capture. Both men appeared to be speaking under duress in the brief video.
The exact date of the kidnapping remains unclear as the video itself lacks a timestamp, and the hostages did not specify when they were taken captive.
Mbanga, located in the Tillaberi region, is known for its gold mines and has been a hotspot for insurgent activity.
The region has witnessed a surge in kidnappings targeting foreign nationals in recent years. In June 2021, two Chinese citizens were abducted in the same area and later released after nine months in captivity.
Additionally, three Italians held hostage by the GSIM since May 2022 were freed in February 2024.
Niger, along with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, has been grappling with a growing insurgency.
All three countries have experienced military coups in recent years, with the new regimes citing the need to restore order as justification.
However, the security situation has continued to deteriorate, with insurgent attacks escalating in frequency and severity.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), violence in Niger has claimed the lives of over 1,500 civilians and soldiers in the past year alone, a significant increase compared to the previous year.
The escalating crisis has led to a shift in foreign relations, with the three countries distancing themselves from traditional Western partners like France and the United States in favor of closer ties with Russia.
Moscow has provided military training and equipment to Niger, while its Wagner paramilitary group has been active in neighboring Mali.
