Abuja, Nigeria – Kaduna State in northwestern Nigeria witnessed a new security incident after gunmen stormed a local church and kidnapped the pastor and 11 worshippers during prayer.
This attack reflects the continued deterioration of the security situation in the region,
which is suffering from the activity of armed gangs.
According to local security sources, the attackers infiltrated the church during the mass,
before firing shots into the air to spread panic among those present.
Then they took the abductees to an unknown location
within the dense forests for which the region is famous.
Initial reports indicate no fatalities, but panic has gripped the residents
who have called for urgent security reinforcements.
Kaduna: Bandit attacks escalate
Kaduna has been suffering for years from escalating attacks carried out
by criminal groups known locally as “bandits”.
And involved in kidnapping for ransom, targeting villages, roads and places of worship.
Observers confirm that the weak security infrastructure and the rugged terrain help
these groups to carry out their operations and escape without immediate pursuit.
Nigerian security forces are continuing extensive search operations
to track down the perpetrators and free the abductees.
Meanwhile, regional authorities called on residents to cooperate
with security services and report any suspicious movements.
