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 are still in captivity.
The US warning came as a high-level delegation of their 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 is 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.
Hooker said, “Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities; prioritising countering terrorism and insecurity; investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable; and reducing the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly in the North Central States.
“On protection of Christians, the Nigerian government recently secured the release of 38 Christians abducted from a church in Kwara state, and another 265 abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic school. This real progress is a direct result of our engagement with the Nigerian government.
“However, we are concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians 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 said the mass abduction in Kaduna underscored persistent security failures that the Nigerian government must urgently address.
She added that advancing religious freedom and security would deepen US-Nigeria relations in other areas, including trade, economic cooperation, health responses and the fight against terrorism.
She said, “Advancing religious freedom and security will help the United States and Nigeria to enhance the reciprocal benefits of our relationship: solidifying trade and economic deals, degrading terrorist groups that threaten our interests, and strengthening health responses, among many other areas. We hope to identify some ways to return internally displaced persons to the communities from which they were expelled in the North Central States, interdict weapons and funding going to terrorist groups, and expand investigations and ensure prosecution of individuals and groups committing atrocities.”
Her comments came amid fresh field reports confirming 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 have reportedly demanded the return of 17 motorcycles, valued at N28.9m, which they claim were seized during recent military operations, as a condition for the release of the victims.
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.
Ribadu said violence framed along religious lines was unacceptable and would be treated as an attack on the Nigerian state, assuring that perpetrators would be tracked and prosecuted.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens: Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs, is non-negotiable. Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself. Our response therefore integrates security operations, rule of law, humanitarian safeguards and strategic communication, ensuring that operational successes translate into public confidence and strengthened social cohesion,” he said.
Ribadu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had authorised expanded security deployments, enhanced intelligence coordination and stronger investigations into attacks on religious communities, assuring that perpetrators would be tracked and prosecuted.
He said, “At the national level, and under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria has taken deliberate and decisive steps to confront insecurity. The President has formally declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas, authorised intensified joint operations, and directed the sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations, particularly those communities experiencing recurrent attacks on civilians and religious groups.
“These directives have been matched with concrete action. Nigeria is expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, developing a national database to serve as a single, authoritative source of accurate and verifiable data on deaths and casualties arising from violence. This effort will strengthening evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and the effectiveness of security responses. Parallel to this, investigations and prosecutions related to attacks on religious communities have been intensified to ensure that violence is met not only with force, but with justice and accountability.”
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the engagement reflected sustained efforts to deepen security partnerships and deliver concrete results.
“This is the third high-level engagement with senior United States officials since November 2025. It shows that our partnership is active, serious, and focused on outcomes that matter to Nigerians,” Idris said in a statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
He noted that collaboration between the two countries had translated into operational gains on the ground.
“Our military and security agencies are working closely with US partners through intelligence sharing and operational coordination, and have strengthened ongoing operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Operation Fasan Yamma,” he added.
Idris also highlighted the US commitment to deliver outstanding military equipment procured over the past five years, including drones, helicopters, and support systems, and noted readiness to provide surplus defence equipment.
On domestic measures, he stated, “Nigeria is acting decisively. Security agencies have clear instructions to protect communities and respond swiftly to threats.”
He added that the Federal Government was strengthening early-warning systems and developing a national database to generate accurate figures on deaths and casualties linked to violence.
“This will give us a single, trusted source of data to guide decisions, improve accountability, and sharpen our security response,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as reforms continue.
“Our responsibility is to keep Nigerians informed and reassured. The work being done today is to ensure a safer country tomorrow,” he added.
The session was attended by senior Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Aside Hooker, the US delegation included Deputy Commander of AFRICOM Lt. Gen. John Brennan, and other senior officials.
Other countries that the US Under Secretary is billed to visit are Muscat, Oman; Manama, Bahrain; and Rome, Italy, the US Department of State announced in a statement on Wednesday.
Her itinerary includes strategic dialogues in Oman and Bahrain, where she will lead discussions aimed at advancing cooperation on a range of security, economic and cultural priorities with both governments.
In Rome, she will engage with international partners and counterparts on major global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Venezuela and peace efforts in the Middle East.
She is also scheduled to meet representatives of United Nations agencies such as the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation to discuss oversight and accountability for US-funded assistance programmes, and to explore new agricultural trade opportunities for American farmers.
Hooker, who was appointed Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in 2025, oversees key regional and bilateral policy issues across the State Department and plays a central role in shaping US diplomatic engagements globally.
Abductors sighted
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, told The PUNCH on Thursday that the sighting of the abductors and their victims followed threats issued by the abductors after they detected the presence of security operatives in the area.
Dan’azumi told The PUNCH in a telephone interview that the abductors and their victims were seen trekking on foot between neighbouring Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, although their exact destination could not be ascertained.
“They (abductors) accused us of bringing soldiers and claimed we were being backed by powerful people,” Dan’azumi said. “After that call, they disappeared. This (Thursday) morning, we were told that they were seen moving on foot with our people between Ungwan Gamu and Maro, but we do not know exactly where they are heading,” he said.
According to the traditional ruler, the development followed threats allegedly issued by the bandits on Wednesday evening after they noticed the presence of security operatives in the area.
“They said we were claiming to have ‘big people’ backing us because of the military presence,” Dan’azumi said.
“We explained to them that we don’t have anybody and that we did not invite the soldiers. After that conversation, they ended the call, and we have not heard from them again.”
The village head expressed concern over the safety and well-being of the abducted worshippers and called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and rescue operations to ensure their safe return.
Mother in captivity
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Maimuna Babangida, who was abducted on January 5 from Kadage community in Kajuru Local Government Area, recounted her traumatic experience in captivity, where she received no medical assistance despite being eight months pregnant and critically ill.
Babangida told The PUNCH that the attack occurred around 9.30 pm, when residents had gone to bed, unaware of the impending danger.
“That night, we suddenly heard gunshots. People began screaming and running in different directions. Before we understood what was happening, the bandits had surrounded the entire community,” she said.
She and her four children — Bilki, Safiya, Salim, and Aisha — were abducted along with 29 other residents and taken deep into the forest. Babangida said the captives were forced to trek long distances through thick bushes, with some walking barefoot, worsening their fragile health conditions.
“Throughout my 13 days in captivity, I received no medical attention, despite being heavily pregnant and extremely weak,” she said.
She described life in the bandits’ camp as dehumanising and emotionally distressing, with food scarce and poorly served.
“Feeding was a serious problem. The way food was given to us was degrading. I cried almost every day, especially seeing my children suffer. I would not wish this experience on anyone,” she added.
Her ordeal worsened when she went into labour while in captivity.
“When it was time for me to give birth, the bandits offered no help. I delivered with the assistance of fellow captives who were also frightened and helpless,” she said.
She gave birth to a baby boy named Abubakar.
Neither she nor her newborn received any medical care, leaving both in a vulnerable state.
Babangida appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, expressing deep concern over her children and the other victims still being held.
The PUNCH reports that Kurmin Wali, Ungwan Gamu and Maro are rural communities in Kajuru Local Government Area, one of the flashpoints of banditry and kidnapping in Southern Kaduna. The area is characterised by vast forests and difficult terrain, which armed groups exploited over the years to establish hideouts and carry out attacks on the communities.
Investigations by The PUNCH showed that the bandits operated with little or no resistance on Sunday, invading three churches during worship services before retreating unhindered into nearby forests — a pattern that has become familiar in Southern Kaduna.
The abductors later contacted community leaders, demanding the return of 17 motorcycles allegedly seized during recent military operations, further complicating rescue efforts and exposing the leverage armed groups continue to wield over rural communities.
Despite initial denials by the Kaduna State Government and the police, security agencies later confirmed the abduction, fuelling public outrage and renewed questions about the effectiveness of early-warning systems and rapid-response mechanisms in the state.
Groups react
Reacting to the attack, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals described the incident as a clear failure of Nigeria’s internal security architecture, warning that criminal groups thrive where there is no local resistance or intelligence-driven presence.
The group argued that the continued exclusion of forest communities from security frameworks had left vast terrains ungoverned, allowing bandits to move freely with abducted victims.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Isaac Abrack, and made available to newsmen on Thursday, the NCYP said, “The attackers operated without any resistance, a situation that should deeply concern all Nigerians.”
Recalling President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to revitalise the Forest Guard, the NCYP said the success of the initiative largely depended on who was recruited.
The group renewed calls for a properly structured, community-driven Forest Guard system, insisting that residents who understood the terrain should be trained, equipped and integrated into security operations.
“A Forest Guard that excludes people who live in and understand forest communities will fall short of its intended impact,” the statement added.
It added, “Those living on the frontlines, who are most victimised, must be allowed structured participation in protecting their lives and property.
“As Northern Christian Youth Professionals who actively campaigned for you (Tinubu) during the 2022/2023 elections, particularly on the promise of a functional Forest Guard, we look forward to returning to our communities in 2027 with a fulfilled promise.”
The Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum also condemned the recent abductions in Southern Kaduna, describing it as “heinous, barbaric and unacceptable.”
In a statement issued Thursday in Kaduna, jointly signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan (SMBLF/Afenifere), Dr Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta-Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide) and Godknows Igali (PANDEF), the forum expressed solidarity with the Adara people and other affected communities.
The group criticised the initial denial of the incident by Kaduna State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN); the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Rabiu; and the Chairman of Kajuru LG, Madaki Dauda, calling it a “grave betrayal of public trust.”
“Such conduct emboldened the criminals and obstructed emergency response at a critical moment,” the forum said.
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