Additional Coverage:
- Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons (foxnews.com)
Armed Gangs Abduct Over 160 Worshippers in Latest Nigerian Church Attacks
Kaduna State, Nigeria – Sunday services turned into scenes of terror for numerous worshippers in Nigeria this past weekend, as armed gangs stormed at least two churches, abducting over 160 individuals. While initial police reports remain conservative, a senior church leader has confirmed the higher figure, highlighting the ongoing crisis of mass kidnappings in the region.
The attacks, which reportedly targeted both Christian and Muslim communities, mark the latest in a disturbing trend of religiously fueled violence plaguing Nigeria. Muslim Fulani militants are frequently implicated in these acts, which aim to destabilize Christian communities and extort ransom payments.
Kaduna state police confirmed that gunmen, wielding “sophisticated weapons,” launched their assault on two churches in the village of Kurmin Wali in Afogo ward around 11:25 a.m. on Sunday. Reverend John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the northern part of the country, provided a grim account, stating, “Information came to me from the elders of the churches that 172 worshipers were abducted while nine escaped.”
It’s a common occurrence in Nigeria for initial estimates from security agencies to be lower than figures reported by community and religious leaders in the aftermath of mass kidnappings.
Authorities have deployed troops and other security agencies to the affected area, with efforts now focused on tracking the abductors and ensuring the safe release of the captives.
Nigeria has witnessed a dramatic escalation in mass attacks by armed gangs, particularly Islamist militants, who often operate from forest hideouts. These groups frequently target villages, schools, and places of worship, creating widespread fear and instability.
According to the Open Doors World Watch List, Nigeria was designated the epicenter of global killings of Christians in 2025. The report indicates that while Muslims are also victims of these attacks, Christians have been “disproportionately targeted,” with a staggering one in five African Christians experiencing high levels of persecution.
These latest abductions follow a string of similar incidents. In November, 52 Catholic students and several staff members were kidnapped from St.
Mary’s School. Furthermore, in April, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) reportedly paid a substantial ransom of $205,000 to secure the release of approximately 50 members abducted in Kaduna.