More than 160 people are feared abducted following an attack on two churches in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. Armed groups, described by authorities as bandits, stormed the churches on Sunday morning, according to police reports. The incident highlights the escalating insecurity in the region.
Kaduna State Police confirmed the attack in the Kormin Wali area, stating that heavily armed assailants targeted the congregations around 11:25 AM. Authorities are still working to ascertain the precise number of victims. A police spokesperson noted the remoteness and difficult terrain of the area are hindering efforts to gather accurate information quickly.
Reverend John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the northern region, told media outlets that 172 worshippers were initially abducted. However, nine managed to escape, leaving 163 still in captivity. He stated that the attackers arrived in large numbers, surrounded the churches, and forced the worshippers into the surrounding bushland.
The United Nations also issued a report confirming the dual church attack, estimating that over 100 people were kidnapped. Discrepancies in initial figures are common in mass kidnapping incidents in Nigeria, with security agencies often providing conservative estimates compared to higher figures reported by local communities and religious organizations. A similar pattern was observed in previous incidents, including the kidnapping of students from a Catholic school in Kaduna.
Police have deployed military and other security forces to the area and are conducting search and rescue operations to apprehend the kidnappers and secure the release of the hostages. Kaduna, along with other states in northwestern Nigeria, has experienced a surge in attacks by armed groups operating from remote enclaves. These groups frequently target villages, schools, and places of worship, carrying out mass kidnappings for ransom. The rise in these incidents prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a national security emergency late last year and launch a major security operation.
The latest kidnapping underscores the urgent need for increased security measures and a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of insecurity in northern Nigeria.
