Kidnappings Rock Kaduna Churches
Nigerian authorities confirmed that more than 160 Christians were abducted during Sunday services in northwestern Kaduna. Initially, officials denied the attacks on three separate churches.
However, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated, “Operational units and intelligence sources verified that the incident did occur.”
State lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo told the Associated Press that attackers targeted the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), a Cherubim and Seraphim church, and a Catholic church. Eleven people escaped, leaving 168 still missing.
Denials and Political Tensions
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu first called the reports rumors, claiming police found “no evidence of the attack” at one church.
Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, criticized the government’s denial. “This incident happened. All we want is for the security services to go after them,” he said.
Additionally, the Chikun/Kajuru Active Citizens Congress published a list of hostages, although authorities have not verified it. Amnesty International condemned the government and police for “desperate denial,” noting that repeated attacks show a failure to stop armed groups.
Trump Calls for Action
In response to the kidnappings, a senior Trump administration official told News that President Trump has made his position clear. “Nigeria faces multiple threats from terrorist groups affecting wide parts of the country,” the official said.
Furthermore, the U.S. recently carried out airstrikes on Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State. Multiple militants died, and the operation was coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
Religious Freedom and Humanitarian Concerns
Christian advocacy groups, including the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN), tried to investigate the attacks but were blocked by military and local officials.
Eyewitnesses told CSWN that attackers forced congregants into the bush, later releasing elderly women and children.
Recently, hundreds of northern Nigerian schoolchildren were also kidnapped by armed groups. Religious freedom advocates say these attacks are both criminal and ideological.
However, Nigerian officials insist kidnappings are driven by ransom-seeking criminals, not religious persecution. Security authorities have warned that misinformation surrounding attacks risks inflaming tensions in already volatile regions.
