62 Nigerian hostages rescued, 2 militants killed, army says

Nigeria’s subject announced Wednesday that 62 hostages were rescued and 2 militants were killed successful a brace of operations against equipped groups, a study said. 

The improvement comes aft much than 160 worshippers were kidnapped from 2 churches successful Nigeria connected Sunday by gangs. It's unclear if immoderate of the worshippers are among the hostages rescued. 

Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba told Reuters that Nigerian forces raided a determination successful the northwestern Zamfara authorities aft receiving tips that captives were being held there.  

The 62 rescued hostages are present successful harmless custody and are successful the process of being reunited with their families, Reuters reported, citing the army.

GUNMEN ABDUCT DOZENS OF WORSHIPPERS FROM MULTIPLE NIGERIAN CHURCHES

Nigerian soldiers thrust astir successful pick-ups during grooming astatine a subject basal successful Borno state, Nigeria, connected July 5, 2025. (Joris Bolomey/AFP via Getty Images)

In a abstracted operation, Nigerian soldiers ambushed militants successful the borderline country betwixt the Kebbi and Sokoto states, Osoba added. 

Sunday’s religion kidnapping incident, which the BBC said targeted some Christians and Muslims, marks the latest wide kidnapping successful Nigeria’s long-running streak of religiously fueled attacks. 

Nigeria has experienced a melodramatic surge successful wide attacks by equipped gangs, peculiarly Islamist militants, who often operate from wood enclaves and people villages, schools and places of worship. 

NIGERIA NAMED EPICENTER OF GLOBAL KILLINGS OF CHRISTIANS OVER FAITH IN 2025, REPORT SAYS

The Haske Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church successful Nigeria's Kaduna authorities is pictured connected Jan. 20, 2026, pursuing a play onslaught by gunmen and kidnappings of worshippers. (Nuhu Gwamna/Reuters)

Muslim Fulani militants frequently carry retired unit successful bluish and cardinal parts of Nigeria to bankrupt Christian communities portion receiving ransom payments.   

Kaduna authorities constabulary said gunmen armed with "sophisticated weapons" attacked 2 churches successful the colony of Kurmin Wali in Afogo ward astatine astir 11:25 a.m. connected Sunday, Reuters reported. 

An exterior presumption of the ECWA Church aft a caller onslaught by gunmen successful which worshippers were kidnapped successful Nigeria's Kaduna state. (Nuhu Gwamna/Reuters)

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While Kaduna authorities constabulary connected Monday reportedly cited conservative figures, saying dozens were being held captive arsenic the investigation remains in its early stages, a elder religion person noted that much than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen over the weekend.   

Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu and The Associated Press contributed to this report.