What You Need to Know
In Kaduna, Nigeria, over 160 worshippers were kidnapped from two churches by armed assailants described as bandits. The attack occurred on Sunday morning, with reports indicating that nine individuals managed to escape. The region has seen a rise in such violent incidents, prompting security forces to intensify their efforts to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Africa. The Nigerian police reported today that armed assailants, described as “bandits,” kidnapped dozens of worshippers from two churches in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. A senior church official estimated that more than 160 individuals were abducted.
According to the Kaduna State Police, armed men carrying “sophisticated weapons” attacked the churches in the “Kurmin Wali” area around 11:25 AM on Sunday. The police noted that their forces are still attempting to verify the exact number of individuals who were kidnapped.
A police spokesperson explained that the area is “remote and difficult to access due to poor roads,” making it challenging to obtain accurate information immediately following such attacks.
Reverend John Hayab, president of the Christian Association in northern Nigeria, told Reuters and Agence France-Presse that the attackers “kidnapped 172 worshippers,” but nine of them later managed to escape, leaving 163 still in the hands of the kidnappers.
The Reverend added that “the attackers arrived in large numbers, blocked the entrances of the churches, and forced the worshippers into the bushes.”
A United Nations report confirmed the double attack today, noting the abduction of “more than 100 worshippers.”
Initial figures in mass kidnapping incidents in Nigeria often vary, as security agencies tend to provide conservative estimates, while local communities and religious institutions report higher numbers. This pattern has been observed in previous incidents, including the kidnapping of students from a Catholic school in Kaduna.
The police stated that military forces and other security agencies have been deployed to the area, and tracking operations are underway to pursue the kidnappers and work on freeing the captives.
Northern Nigeria, including Kaduna, has seen an increase in attacks by armed groups based in remote pockets, targeting villages, schools, and places of worship in mass kidnappings for ransom demands.
The wave of kidnappings that swept the country at the end of last year prompted Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a national security emergency and launch a recruitment campaign in the military and police to combat the insecurity plaguing the nation.
In the context of international reactions to these attacks, former U.S. President Donald Trump previously accused Nigerian armed groups of persecuting Christians, describing the victims as facing “genocide,” which led to U.S. military strikes on Christmas Day in Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria.
Nigeria has faced a persistent security crisis, particularly in its northern regions, where armed groups frequently target communities for kidnappings and ransom. This trend has escalated in recent years, with various attacks on schools, churches, and villages, leading to widespread fear and instability. The government’s response has included military interventions and emergency declarations, yet the violence continues to pose significant challenges to local populations.
