Gunmen in Nigeria abducted as many as 163 Christian worshippers during Sunday services from two churches in Kaduna state. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), “The attackers came in large numbers, blocked the entrances of the churches and forced the worshippers out into the bush.”
Reverend Joseph Hayab, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria for the northern region, confirmed that, “The actual number they took was 172, but nine escaped, so 163 are still with them.”
Lawmaker Usman DanlamiStingo said the attackers carried out three raids and abducted 168 people from churches across the north. Police officials added that gunmen armed with “sophisticated weapons” attacked the two churches, but officers were still working to confirm the exact number of victims.
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The attacks took place in Krumin Wali village, a largely Christian forest community that is remotely located and difficult to reach by road. The officials said on Tuesday that police and security forces had been deployed in the area and efforts to locate as well as rescue the abductees were on.
This is not an isolated incident. Bandits kidnapped more than 390 people during October and November last year, including 315 students from two regions of the country.
In November, armed gangs seized more than 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in neighbouring Niger state. They were released weeks later in two batches. According to security experts, these abductions are primarily carried out for ransom, with armed groups using the proceeds to fund other criminal activities and maintain control over villages.
A recent report by the Nigeria-based consultancy SBM Intelligence revealed that "abductions in the country have evolved into a 'structured, profit-seeking industry'," generating approximately $1.66 million from June 2024 to July 2025.
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