Mass kidnapping of worshippers in churches in northern Nigeria alarms the Church

More than 160 Christians were kidnapped during an armed attack on two churches in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, according to Vatican News and organizations supporting persecuted Christians. The incident occurred during a religious service and has once again raised concerns about the insecurity faced by Christian communities in the region.

According to testimonies gathered by local media, armed groups surrounded the churches, blocked the exits, and forced the worshippers to leave the buildings before taking them to wooded areas. The operation was described as organized and coordinated, a common tactic in attacks perpetrated by criminal gangs and extremist groups in northern Nigeria.

The kidnapping occurred against a backdrop of escalating violence against religious leaders and Christian communities. In recent months, attacks have also been reported against Catholic schools, villages, and parishes in various states across the country. Vatican News noted that numerous priests and students have been kidnapped recently, while some victims remain missing.

The organization Open Doors indicated that Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians. Its 2026 monitoring report estimates that nearly 3,500 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons during the previous year.

Nigerian authorities have promised to strengthen security in Kaduna and other conflict-ridden regions, although humanitarian organizations denounce the official responses as still insufficient. Many families of the victims now live in constant fear of further attacks, while local churches continue to hold services under strict security measures.

The humanitarian and religious crisis in northern Nigeria remains a major concern for international organizations dedicated to defending religious freedom.