Kaduna, Nigeria. Security services have rescued all 166 worshippers kidnapped during attacks on two churches in northern Nigeria last month, the Christian Association of Nigeria said on Thursday.
Christian group cites military role and prayer
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said it credited the power of prayer and the military for the success of the operations in Kaduna state, without providing details on how the churchgoers were freed or when.
The Rev John Hayab, head of CAN’s northern chapter, said he could confirm all the churchgoers had been freed “after all the drama and disagreements,” referring to the police’s initial denial of the kidnapping.
Accounts differ over the abduction and numbers
CAN said gunmen stormed the churches on January 18, seized 177 worshippers and dragged them into nearby forests. It said 11 escaped, leaving 166 missing.
There have been conflicting accounts of the worshippers’ fate. Police initially said no kidnapping took place, then said on Monday that 80 of those listed as abducted had fled to nearby villages during the raid and since returned to their homes.
CAN and police have often offered different figures and accounts on church kidnappings.
Authorities not immediately available for comment
The military, the police and the local government in Kaduna did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
International attention and earlier reported strike
The incident was the latest in a series of reported attacks and abductions in the north that have drawn the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians, a charge Abuja denies.
The report also said U.S. forces struck what they described as terrorist targets in northwest Nigeria on December 25.
CAN says no money was paid
Hayab said no money was requested from CAN or collected. He said, “Of course, the bandits still have their demands, but we did not have any amount to give them.”
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