Call to motion after reports of 163 Christians kidnapped in Nigeria

“Heavily armed bandits” are reported to have raided at the least two churches in Nigeria on Sunday and kidnapped 163 worshippers, officials report.

The kidnappings happened in a rural Christian community within the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state in north-central Nigeria, reports International Christian Concern (ICC). 

ICC president Shawn Wright said he was “deeply troubled” by the reports and called for urgent motion from Nigerian and US leaders. 

Rev Joseph Hayab, who leads the northern region of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said that there have been “large numbers” of attackers and that they struck “in the midst of the service”.

“172 people were initially abducted, but nine of them escaped immediately after the attack,” he said. 

ICC said that an investigation has been launched by local authorities but no group has yet claimed responsibility. 

“This is a cruel act against innocent people gathered to worship,” said Wright. 

“I ask people around the globe to hitch me in praying for the protected return of those taken, for comfort for his or her families, and for peace to exchange this violence.

“We must stand together in compassion and hope.” 

Ini Ememobong, national publicity secretary at People’s Democratic Party Head Office, was critical of the Nigerian government and called for immediate motion to guard all Nigerians. 

 “These frequent attacks on worshippers of their places of worship, no matter religion, represent the lack of this government to guard the constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of worship,” Ememobong was quoted as saying by ICC.

“Nigerians must not live in fear when going to churches or mosques to worship. The entrenchment of such brazen criminality under this administration is completely unacceptable.” 

US Congressman Riley Moore said it was “horrific news”.

“Our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing an existential threat by the hands of the Fulani militants,” he said. 

“More have to be done to guard them, and I urge the Nigerian government to make sure the swift and protected return of all those that were captured.” 

Mass abductions have terrorised parts of Nigeria for years. One of essentially the most recent incidents occurred last November when over 200 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger state. They were all eventually freed or escaped. 

ICC said Christian communities in rural areas have been especially targeted as they’ve “scant security”.

“The protection of residents is the federal government’s primary constitutional responsibility. Every Nigerian deserves to worship in safety,” Ememobong said.

“The Tinubu administration must show that Nigerian lives matter through immediate motion, not empty guarantees. The families of the 163 kidnap victims anxiously await their return.” 

Last 12 months US President Donald Trump moved to redesignate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and surprised the international community with military strikes at Christmas on what were described as militant bases. The strikes were in response to the “targeting” of Nigerian Christians and Trump has since threatened to perform more if Christians proceed to be targeted.

The Open Doors World Watch List published last week said that Nigeria is the deadliest country for Christians. The country ranks seventh within the organisation’s list of nations where it’s most dangerous to be a Christian. 

Release International, one other organisation supporting persecuted Christians, recently warned that the variety of Christians in Nigeria being killed could double this 12 months without immediate motion to halt the violence.