February 8, 2026
Graphic video circulating on social media has brought renewed attention to the security crisis in parts of northern Nigeria, showing four women who were previously abducted by armed men being attacked with rifles amidst their captivity, according to reporting by Sahara Reporters on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The footage, which local sources described as authentic, appears to show suspected terrorists or bandits with automatic rifles present with the women at an undisclosed location. While the video’s full context and exact location have not been independently confirmed, the material has drawn widespread condemnation from rights advocates, civic leaders, and public commentators who say it highlights the acute vulnerabilities faced by abducted civilians amid ongoing insecurity.
According to the report, the women were seized in a separate kidnapping incident that has not yet been publicly detailed by security officials, and the circulation of the video has intensified calls for urgent action from government authorities to locate and secure the release of all hostages in similar situations.
Civil rights organisations cited by the report have condemned the treatment of the women as a violation of basic human rights and dignity, urging the Nigerian government and security agencies to prioritise rescue efforts and to pursue strategies that will prevent such crimes. They also called for thorough investigations into the perpetrators responsible for the original abductions and any subsequent harm inflicted on the captives.
Officials from the Nigeria Police Force and the Army have not yet issued a detailed response to the footage, though previous statements on similar hostage situations have emphasised ongoing efforts by security services to intervene in abductions and to disrupt the activities of organised criminal groups. Observers say the video underscores persistent challenges for authorities as kidnappings and related violence continue to affect communities across several states.