Nigerian authorities refute media reports that armed men kidnapped more than 170 worshippers
Nigerian Authorities, Media Clash Over Alleged Mass Kidnapping of Worshippers
More than 24 hours after reports emerged of a mass kidnapping of worshippers in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna State, sharp disagreements persist between local authorities and media accounts over what actually occurred.
Media reports say armed gangs wielding sophisticated weapons stormed at least two churches in Kajuru Local Government Area in southern Kaduna, abducting scores of worshippers in the latest episode of mass kidnappings plaguing Africa’s most populous nation.
Nigeria’s Christian Association (CAN) said 163 worshippers were kidnapped during the attacks.
“The attackers came in large numbers, blocked the entrances to the churches, and forced worshippers into the bush,” said Reverend Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the north.
“The actual number taken was 172, but nine escaped, leaving 163 still in captivity,” he added.
However, Kaduna State authorities and the police have strongly disputed those figures.
A Nigerian police spokesperson told Reuters that gunmen armed with “sophisticated weapons” attacked two churches, but both the Kaduna State government and police rejected claims that more than 100 worshippers were abducted.
Kaduna State Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu described the reports as “pure lies,” accusing what he called conflict entrepreneurs of spreading misinformation to cause panic and confusion.
He challenged anyone with evidence to present the names of abducted victims, describing the reports as fake news.
Rabiu said police mobilized to Kurmin Wali village, where the alleged kidnappings were said to have taken place, but found no evidence to support claims of a mass abduction.
“We visited the church where the kidnapping was alleged to have happened,” he said. “I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he confirmed that nothing like that occurred.”
Police said security forces, along with other agencies, have been deployed to the area to determine whether anyone was abducted and, if so, how many.
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A Pattern of Violence in Nigeria
Mass kidnappings are common in central and northern Nigeria, where criminal gangs—often referred to locally as bandits—and armed groups regularly raid remote communities with limited security presence.
In November, armed gangs abducted more than 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in neighboring Niger State. The victims were released weeks later in two batches.
Most abductions in Nigeria are carried out for ransom, with armed groups using the proceeds to fund further criminal activities and assert control over rural communities. Some religiously motivated armed groups have also carried out kidnappings to advance ideological goals.
Kidnap-for-ransom has evolved into what analysts describe as a “structured, profit-seeking industry.” A recent report by Nigeria-based consultancy SBM estimated profits of about $1.66 million between June 2024 and July 2025.
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Are Christians Being Targeted?
The issue has renewed debate over whether Christians are being specifically targeted in Nigeria’s violence.
Late last year, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy after posting on social media that the United States would invade Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to deal with terrorists he claimed were targeting Christians. Nigerian authorities rejected that characterization.
In December, U.S. and Nigerian forces carried out a joint airstrike in northwestern Sokoto State, which authorities said killed an unspecified number of militants. Since then, Nigeria and the United States have expanded security cooperation. Last week, Washington approved $413 million for counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria.
Kajuru is a known hotspot for bandit attacks and has experienced years of sectarian violence between predominantly Christian farming communities and Fulani Muslim cattle herders.
While the conflict often stems from competition over land and dwindling resources, ethnic and religious divisions frequently intensify tensions.
Nigeria is roughly divided between Muslims, who make up about 56% of the population, and Christians, about 43%, with Muslims largely concentrated in the north and Christians in the south.
Security experts say both Christians and Muslims are targeted across Nigeria’s multiple conflicts, often indiscriminately, warning that framing the violence as a religious war oversimplifies a complex security crisis.
