Nigeria Confirms 160+ Church Kidnappings as Army Later Rescues 62 Hostages in Separate Northwest Raids
Kaduna police, after initially dismissing reports as "rumors," have formally acknowledged simultaneous attacks on three churches in the Kajuru area in which more than 160 Christians were abducted—state lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo put the toll at 177 abducted (11 escaped, 168 still missing)—and rights groups say military and local officials blocked fact‑finding teams while Amnesty International condemned the government’s earlier denials. Separately, the Nigerian army said it rescued 62 hostages in a Zamfara raid and killed two militants in an ambush along the Kebbi–Sokoto border, though officials say it is unclear whether any of the freed captives are among those taken from the churches.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Kaduna State police initially dismissed reports as 'rumors' but subsequently acknowledged simultaneous attacks on three churches in the Kajuru area and said more than 160 Christians were kidnapped during Sunday worship services.
- State lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo gave a more specific tally, saying 177 people were abducted, 11 escaped and 168 remain missing.
- The targeted places of worship were identified as an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation, a Cherubim and Seraphim church, and a Catholic church in Kajuru.
- Northern Christian Association of Nigeria and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria reported that their fact‑finding teams were blocked by Nigerian military and local officials from reaching the area; Amnesty International condemned the police and government for their 'desperate denial' and said President Bola Tinubu has no effective plan to end atrocities by armed groups.
- A senior Trump administration official told Fox News Digital that President Trump expects Nigeria to act 'in collaboration with the United States' to counter terrorist and extremist violence affecting Christians and other civilians.
- Separately, the Nigerian army said it rescued 62 hostages in a Zamfara state raid after receiving tips; the rescued captives are in 'safe custody' and are being processed for reunification with their families.
- In another operation, soldiers ambushed militants along the Kebbi–Sokoto state border, killing two; it remains unclear whether any of the more than 160 worshippers kidnapped in Kajuru are among the 62 rescued.
đź“° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 21, 2026
7:08 PM
62 Nigerian hostages rescued, 2 militants killed, army says
New information:
- Nigerian army spokesperson Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba says 62 hostages were rescued in a raid in Zamfara state after tips that captives were being held there.
- The rescued hostages are in 'safe custody' and are being processed to reunite with their families.
- In a separate operation, soldiers ambushed militants along the Kebbi–Sokoto state border, killing two.
- It remains unclear whether any of the more than 160 worshippers kidnapped from churches on Sunday are among the 62 rescued.
6:13 PM
Nigeria admits more than 160 Christians kidnapped as Trump calls for coordinated terror fight
New information:
- Kaduna State police, after initially dismissing reports as 'rumors,' now formally acknowledge that simultaneous attacks on three churches occurred and that more than 160 Christians were kidnapped during Sunday worship services.
- State lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo gives a more precise tally: 177 abducted, 11 escaped, 168 still missing.
- Specific churches are named: an Evangelical Church Winning All congregation, a Cherubim and Seraphim church, and a Catholic church in the Kajuru area.
- Northern Christian Association of Nigeria and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria report that their fact‑finding teams were blocked by Nigerian military and local officials when they tried to reach the area.
- A senior Trump administration official tells Fox News Digital that President Trump expects Nigeria to act 'in collaboration with the United States' to counter terrorist and extremist violence impacting Christians and 'countless other innocent civilians' across Nigeria.
- Amnesty International publicly condemns Nigerian police and government for their 'desperate denial' of the attacks and says the episode shows President Bola Tinubu has no effective plan to end atrocities by armed groups.
January 20, 2026