ABUJA
Gunmen abducted 40 worshippers during a church service at Bege Baptist Church, Madala, along Buruku Baringi Road, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in northern Nigeria.
According to Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, the worshippers were in the Sunday service around 9:30 a.m. when they heard gunshots very close to the church.
The gunmen attacked the church and went away with 40 worshippers; along the way, 15 of the kidnapped people returned, leaving the rest in captivity without any word from their abductors.
DSP Mohammed Jalige promised to contact the DPO of the affected area for prompt action. The incident is just one of many recent attacks in the region.
Over the last two years, there have been frequent mass kidnappings by criminal gangs that are not thought to be linked to the Islamist militants active in parts of northern Nigeria.
Kidnappers often demand ransom before releasing the hostages.
Nigeria has been grappling with a wave of insecurity, including mass abductions of schoolchildren and students. In December 2020, hundreds of schoolboys were abducted from their school in Kankara, Katsina State. The boys were released a few days later, reportedly after a ransom payment.
The rising insecurity in Nigeria has led to increased calls for the government to take more decisive action. President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal with the situation, but the attacks have continued.
DONDO ALLAN
