The military of Nigeria has announced that it rescued 31 civilians who had been abducted during an attack on a church in the northwestern state of Kaduna State. Authorities also confirmed that five people were killed at the scene of the attack.
According to the Nigerian army, the assault occurred while worshippers were celebrating Easter at a church located in the village of Ariko in the Kachia area.
Security forces said troops launched an operation shortly after the attack and managed to free the abducted civilians. Military units are still pursuing the armed group responsible for the incident.
The chairman of the Christian Association in Kaduna, Caleb Maaji, said the attackers targeted two churches in Ariko on April 5, 2026.
Maaji confirmed that seven people were killed during the attacks and several others were kidnapped.
“We are still searching,” Maaji told Reuters, referring to efforts to locate those still missing.
Nigeria has frequently faced attacks from armed groups and extremist organizations such as Boko Haram, which have carried out kidnappings, bombings and other violent incidents across parts of the country.
In November 2025, gunmen abducted 227 students and teachers from a Christian school in northwestern Nigeria, highlighting the continued security challenges in the region.