Nigeria's military says troops freed 31 worshippers seized during an attack on churches in Ariko village, Kaduna state. Local leaders report multiple deaths and missing people as authorities blame armed bandits for rising violence in the region.
Nigeria's army said it rescued 31 people who were taken hostage during an attack on churches in Ariko village, Kaduna state, on Sunday. In a statement the military said troops engaged the attackers in a firefight and forced them to abandon the hostages.
Local media and church leaders said a Catholic and an evangelical church were targeted. Caleb Maaji, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna, said seven people were killed and others taken. The military, however, said five bodies were found at the scene.
The attack occurred about 100 kilometres north of Abuja and came despite a police chief’s order for a “massive security deployment” at places of worship over the Easter period. The military described the incident as a foiled terrorist attack.
Northwest and central Nigeria have been plagued by criminal gangs known as bandits, who carry out mass kidnappings and village raids. Violence has persisted despite stepped-up military operations; in January gunmen attacked churches in Kaduna and rounded up more than 170 worshippers. The security crisis has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump describing the violence as a “genocide” of Christians.
Source: World | Deutsche Welle
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