A group linked to al Qaeda in West Africa’s Sahel region has captured two Russian citizens in Niger, according to a video released by the group on Friday.
A video from the media foundation of Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) features what seem to be declarations from the two prisoners, who assert they were working for a Russian firm in southwest Niger when they were taken.
The two captives, speaking in English with a Russian accent, said they were Russians and mentioned they were captured in Mbanga, about 60 km (40 miles) west of Niamey, the capital. They did not disclose when this took place.
One called himself Yuri and said he was a geologist, the other gave his name as Greg and said he came to work in Niger a month ago.
The video’s date and location of filming were unspecified. The captives were seen against a backdrop of traditional West African cloth. No ransom demand was included in the video.
There was no immediate comment from Russia’s foreign ministry.
An unnamed security official in Niger reported that the two individuals were captured roughly a week ago while visiting gold mines.
In the gold-rich Tillaberi region, Mbanga is an area where Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State are active.
Their insurgencies have led to widespread instability in Niger and have also affected neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Since last year’s coup, the Niger junta, similar to the military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, has expelled Western forces and strengthened its military and economic ties with Russia.
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