Gun men
Picnews
The Nigerian police have confirmed that armed bandits abducted dozens of villagers in Kaduna State’s Kurmin Wali community over the weekend, contradicting initial denials. The attack, which occurred during church services, reportedly involved over 170 people, with 163 still missing, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria. The police have launched security operations to locate and rescue the victims, with tactical units deployed to the area.
The incident has sparked international concern, with US President Donald Trump previously criticizing Nigeria’s handling of Christian persecution. The Nigerian government denies systematic persecution, citing efforts to tackle Islamist and other violent groups.
The police initially dismissed reports of the abduction, describing them as false and misleading. However, after verifying the incident, they confirmed that an abduction did occur and have activated coordinated security operations to rescue the victims.
The Christian Association of Nigeria claims that 172 worshippers were kidnapped, and nine later escaped, leaving 163 still held. The abductors are reportedly demanding the return of 10 missing motorcycles they hid in the bush as a condition for releasing the captives .
The attack is the latest in a wave of mass kidnappings targeting both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. The government has deployed security forces to the area and is working to rescue the victims.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, with armed gangs frequently carrying out mass kidnappings for ransom, attacking villages, schools, and places of worship.
