Nigerian troops rescued 31 worshippers on Sunday after gunmen raided two churches in Kaduna state during Easter services. The military reported that a swift response and ensuing firefight forced the attackers to abandon their hostages in the village of Ariko.
While the military confirmed the rescue, the death toll remains a point of contention. The Nigerian military stated that five people were killed during the assault. However, Caleb Bawa Ma'aji, the Kaduna state chairman for the Christian Association of Nigeria, reported a higher fatality count, stating that seven people died.
Escalating violence in the northwest
The attack occurred approximately 100 kilometers north of Abuja, the nation's capital. This violence persisted despite directives from the police chief for massive security deployments at places of worship throughout the Easter festival.
Kaduna is one of several regions in northwest and central Nigeria plagued by criminal gangs, often referred to as bandits. These groups frequently carry out raids on communities to kidnap residents for ransom. Authorities have noted that while these gangs are primarily motivated by profit, they are increasingly coordinating with jihadist militants operating from the northeast.
This incident follows a mass kidnapping in January, when bandits seized over 170 worshippers from three churches during mass in the same state. While 80 of those captives managed to escape, the remainder were held for three weeks before being released through negotiations.
In a separate security operation, the military reported a "major breakthrough" in neighboring Zamfara state. A security report reviewed by AFP indicated that troops killed at least 65 bandits during an offensive in a district separate from recent mass kidnappings in the area.
The persistent insecurity has drawn international attention, including claims from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the targeting of Christians in the region. Despite increased military presence and operations aimed at curbing the violence, attacks on rural communities continue to rise.
