The United States has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s ability to protect Christian communities following the abduction of 177 worshippers in Kaduna State, as bandits were on Thursday sighted moving freely through forest corridors with their captives, days after storming churches without resistance.
On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and whisked away more than 177 worshippers, with 11 managing to escape, while 166 remain in captivity.
The US warning came as a high-level delegation of American officials arrived in Nigeria on Thursday on a week-long diplomatic tour aimed at reviewing counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable religious groups across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
The meeting was part of the United States-Nigeria Joint Working Group and was co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker.
It took place amid heightened diplomatic tensions after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations. However, the Federal Government has repeatedly dismissed claims of systemic Christian persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects citizens of all religious backgrounds.
Hooker said recent attacks showed that despite reported security operations, Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria remained dangerously exposed.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritising counterterrorism and insecurity, investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable, and reducing killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly in the North Central States,” she said.
She acknowledged recent releases of abducted Christians in Kwara State and from St. Mary’s Catholic School, describing them as progress resulting from US engagement with the Nigerian government. However, she expressed concern over reports that more than 170 Christians were kidnapped in Kaduna State on January 18.
“The government of Nigeria must do more to protect Christians and their right to practice their faith freely and safely,” Hooker added.
She said the Kaduna abduction underscored persistent security failures that must be urgently addressed, noting that advancing religious freedom would deepen US-Nigeria cooperation in areas such as trade, economic development, health responses, and counterterrorism.
Hooker also said efforts were ongoing to return internally displaced persons to their communities, interdict weapons and funding flowing to terrorist groups, and expand investigations and prosecutions for atrocities.
Field reports confirmed that the abductors of the Kurmin Wali worshippers were seen trekking with their victims between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities in Kajuru Local Government Area, exploiting forest routes long known as bandit hideouts.
The abductors reportedly demanded the return of 17 motorcycles valued at N28.9m, allegedly seized during recent military operations, as a condition for the victims’ release.
In response, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying the Federal Government had intensified joint military operations, intelligence coordination, and investigations into attacks on religious communities.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens, Christians, Muslims, and others, is non-negotiable. Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself,” Ribadu said.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had authorised expanded security deployments, enhanced intelligence coordination, and stronger investigations to ensure perpetrators are tracked and prosecuted.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the engagement reflected sustained efforts to deepen security partnerships with the United States.
“This is the third high-level engagement with senior US officials since November 2025, showing that our partnership is active, serious, and focused on outcomes that matter to Nigerians,” Idris said.
He noted improved intelligence sharing, strengthened operations such as Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Fasan Yamma, and US commitments to deliver outstanding military equipment, including drones and helicopters.
On domestic measures, Idris said Nigeria was strengthening early-warning systems and developing a national database to generate accurate data on deaths and casualties linked to violence.
Kidnappers Sighted
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, told Ebelenaija that the abductors and their victims were sighted trekking between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities after threats were issued when security operatives were noticed in the area.
“They accused us of bringing soldiers and claimed we were backed by powerful people. After that call, they disappeared,” Dan’azumi said.
He expressed concern for the safety of the abducted worshippers and urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
Mother in Captivity
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Maimuna Babangida, abducted on January 5 from Kadage community in Kajuru Local Government Area, recounted her ordeal in captivity, where she received no medical assistance despite being eight months pregnant.
She said gunmen attacked around 9.30 pm, abducting her and her four children alongside 29 others and forcing them to trek long distances through thick forests.
“Throughout my 13 days in captivity, I received no medical attention, despite being heavily pregnant and extremely weak,” she said.
She went into labour while in captivity and delivered a baby boy, Abubakar, without medical care, assisted only by fellow captives.
Groups React
Reacting to the attack, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals described the incident as a failure of Nigeria’s internal security architecture, calling for a properly structured, community-driven Forest Guard system.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum also condemned the abductions, describing them as heinous and unacceptable, and criticised initial denials by Kaduna State officials as a betrayal of public trust.
