Russian geologists kidnapped by al‑Qaeda affiliate in Niger

A recording has surfaced online, allegedly released by fighters from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. It shows two white men who say they are from Russia and were kidnapped in Niger, West Africa.

The men in the published recording are dressed in beige outfits. They claim to have been kidnapped in the city of Mbanga, in the southwestern part of Niger, where they were working for a Russian company.

One of them said his name was Yuri. He explained that he is a geologist born in Russia but lives in Ukraine. The other introduced himself as Greg. He emphasized that he had arrived in Niger just a month before being kidnapped.

The recording mentions that it is a "message from two Russian captives." It is unknown when the men were kidnapped or when the recording was made.

Mbanga is located in the Tillabéri region and is known for its gold mines. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of kidnappings of foreigners there.

In June 2021, two Chinese citizens were kidnapped there. They were freed after nine months of captivity. A year later, fighters from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims captured three Italians, who were released in February 2024. Also, last year, they released French journalist Olivier Dubois, who had been kidnapped in northern Mali in April 2021.

Niger, which has been grappling with jihadist violence for several years, is governed by a military regime, similar to its neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali. When the military took power in July 2023, they justified the coup by citing the deteriorating security situation and the inability of the ousted government of President Mohamed Bazoum to combat terrorists effectively. However, under the junta's rule, the situation has not improved.

Last year alone, around 1,500 civilians and soldiers were killed in jihadist attacks, compared to 650 between July 2022 and the same month in 2023.

Source: PAP