Act by Islamist Group: Dead and Kidnapped in Attack on Village in Nigeria
In Nigeria, Islamists have raided a village. Dozens of people were killed or abducted – the exact number remains unclear. The attack appears to have been carried out by an offshoot of the terrorist group "Islamic State."
Several armed Islamists attacked a village in Nigeria, killing and abducting dozens of people. The attack took place during Friday prayers in the most populous country in Africa.
"They slaughtered several of us and said we were not following the true teachings of Islam," a survivor told the news agency AFP. The attackers are reported to have been armed with machetes, knives and guns. They belong to the Islamist group Lakuwara.
Fighting Between Several Islamist Groups
A rival Islamist group then reportedly intervened and engaged in fighting with the Lakuwara members. Many civilians were killed and others were abducted as hostages during the clashes, according to the eyewitness and a local official.
The news agency AP quoted a relative of one of the abducted as saying: "Nobody can give the exact number of those kidnapped, because so far about 80 of our people have been taken, and many have fled the area."
Repeated Attacks on Civilians
Experts regard Lakurawa as an offshoot of the jihadist militia "Islamic State" (IS). The group is said to combine religious extremism with organized crime. It is also active in neighboring countries.
Attacks on civilians occur frequently in Nigeria. People are often abducted for ransom. In addition, there are numerous non-religious gangs, referred to by residents as "bandits," who also rely on kidnappings and extortion.
