Key Points

• US warns Nigeria over 177 church kidnappings in Kaduna.

• FG boosts security and investigates attacks under Tinubu.

• Communities call for a local Forest Guard to protect forests.

The United States has raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s ability to protect Christian communities.

This comes after 177 worshippers were kidnapped in Kaduna State. Bandits were seen moving freely through forest paths with their captives just days after attacking churches without resistance.

On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area. Eleven people escaped, while 166 are still missing.

A high-level US delegation arrived in Nigeria on Thursday for a week-long tour to review counterterrorism efforts and protection of vulnerable religious groups in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

The meeting was part of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.

US Concerns and Diplomatic Tensions

The visit comes after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations.

The Nigerian government denies systemic persecution, saying insecurity affects all citizens, regardless of religion.

Hooker said attacks show that Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria remain exposed.

She said, “We are here to discuss how we can work together to stop violence against Christians; to counter terrorism and insecurity; investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable; and reduce killings, forced displacements, and abductions, especially in the North Central States.”

Hooker also noted past successes, like the release of 38 Christians from a church in Kwara State and 265 from St. Mary’s Catholic school. But she stressed that more needs to be done for Kaduna victims.

Bandits Seen Moving With Captives

Reports confirmed that abductors were seen walking with the Kurmin Wali victims between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, using forest routes long known as bandit hideouts.

The bandits reportedly want 17 motorcycles, valued at N28.9 million, returned from recent military operations before releasing the victims.

FG Promises Action

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu said violence against any religion is unacceptable and will be treated as an attack on Nigeria.

He confirmed that security forces are intensifying military operations, intelligence coordination, and investigations.

Ribadu said President Bola Tinubu has authorised extra security deployments, stronger intelligence coordination, and investigations into attacks on religious communities.

He added, “Nigeria is taking deliberate and decisive steps to fight insecurity. We are expanding early-warning and rapid-response systems and developing a national database to track deaths and casualties from violence. Investigations and prosecutions are also being intensified to ensure justice.”

US-Nigeria Security Cooperation

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said this is the third high-level meeting with US officials since November 2025.

He explained, “Our military and security agencies work closely with US partners, sharing intelligence and coordinating operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Operation Fasan Yamma.”

The US also committed to delivering military equipment, like drones and helicopters, and providing surplus defense equipment to Nigeria.

Abducted Mother Shares Ordeal

Maimuna Babangida, 27, was kidnapped on January 5 from Kadage community while eight months pregnant. She described 13 days of hardship with no medical care, scarce food, and long forest treks with her four children.

She went into labor in captivity and delivered a baby boy named Abubakar, assisted by fellow captives. Neither mother nor baby received medical care.

Babangida appealed to the government to rescue her children and the remaining victims.

Communities and Groups Call for Action

Kurmin Wali, Ungwan Gamu, and Maro are rural areas in Kajuru Local Government Area, known for bandit attacks. Bandits have long used forests to evade security forces.

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals called the attack a clear failure of Nigeria’s security system, urging a structured, community-driven Forest Guard to protect residents.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum condemned the kidnappings as “heinous, barbaric, and unacceptable,” criticizing local officials for initially denying the attacks.