Russian Nationals Held Captive by al-Qaida Militants in Niger

Two Russian nationals appeared in a video claiming they were kidnapped by al-Qaida militants in Niger. Identified as Yury and an unnamed individual, they were reportedly taken while working in Baga. This marks the first known case of Russians being abducted by jihadis in the Sahel region.

Two men claiming to be Russian nationals and saying they were taken captive in Niger by militants linked to al-Qaida appeared in a video published on a media platform affiliated with the extremist group.

The video, which surfaced on the az-Zallaqa platform on Friday night, shows two men who stated they were seized by the militants while working in Baga, northeastern Niger.

Sitting side by side and dressed in traditional local attire, the men spoke into the camera. One identified himself as Yury, a geologist working for a Russian company when he was captured by JNIM, the al-Qaida affiliated group in the region. The other man's name was not clear, but he mentioned he had been in Niger for a month.

(With inputs from agencies.)