Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons

Numerous worshippers from astatine slightest 2 churches successful Nigeria were kidnapped during Sunday services by equipped gangs, Reuters reported.

While Kaduna authorities constabulary connected Monday reportedly cited blimpish figures, saying dozens were being held captive arsenic the probe remains successful its aboriginal stages, a elder religion person noted that much than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen implicit the weekend. 

Sunday’s incident, which BBC said targeted some Christians and Muslims, marks the latest wide kidnapping successful Nigeria’s long-running streak of religiously fueled attacks. Muslim Fulani militants often transportation retired unit successful bluish and cardinal parts of Nigeria to bankrupt Christian communities portion receiving ransom payments. 

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

52 CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NIGERIA KIDNAPPED BY GUNMEN IN LATEST ATTACK: REPORT

People locomotion past a schoolhouse successful Nigeria connected March 8, 2024, pursuing wide kidnappings that targeted 250 students. (Haidar Umar / AFP via Getty Images)

Reverend John Hayab, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria located in the bluish portion of the country, told Reuters:

"Information came to maine from the elders of the churches that 172 worshipers were abducted portion 9 escaped," Hayab said.

Early estimates from information agencies thin to beryllium conservative, portion assemblage and spiritual leaders often study higher numbers. In Nigeria, casualty and abduction figures often alteration wide successful the days pursuing wide kidnappings.

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

Security officers patrol an country successful Janjala Village, Nigeria, connected Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, pursuing the abduction and killings of aggregate people. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi )

Police said troops and different information agencies had been deployed to the area, with efforts underway to way the abductors and unafraid the merchandise of the captives, Reuters reported. 

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

GUNMEN ATTACK CHURCH IN NIGERIA, KILLING TWO AND KIDNAPPING OTHERS

In 2025, Nigeria was named the epicenter of planetary killings of Christians, according to the Open Doors World Watch List. The study noted that portion Muslims are besides often attacked, Christians person been "disproportionately targeted," with 1 successful 5 African Christians facing precocious levels of persecution.

Woman successful Benue State Christian exile camp. The campy is inhabited by Christians who fled anti-Christian violence.  (Open Doors)

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In November, 52 Catholic students, on with respective unit members, were kidnapped by gunmen astatine St. Mary’s School successful Nigeria, The Associated Press reported.

In April, the Evangelical Church Winning All, a large religion based successful West Africa, said it paid the equivalent of $205,000 successful ransom to unafraid the merchandise of astir 50 members kidnapped successful Kaduna, Nigerian lawyer Jabez Musa told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital's Paul Tilsley, Rachel Wolf, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.