Christians killed in Easter church attacks in Nigeria; Army saved the worshipers

Stephen J. By Bose, Chief International Correspondent of Worthy News

Abuja(meaningful news) – Easter services at churches in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state have been attacked by suspected Islamic “militants”, also known locally as “bandits”, killing at least five worshippers, while dozens of abducted worshipers were later rescued by soldiers, officials said.

Gunmen reportedly opened fire on Christians in rural Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of ​​Kaduna in the early hours of Easter Sunday, causing panic among residents.

Nigeria’s military said it rescued 31 civilians taken hostage during the attack and confirmed that five bodies were found at the scene, while soldiers continued to pursue the attackers.

Local sources indicated that two churches were targeted in the attack.

Deadly attack on worshipers

Mark Bawa, the MLA representing the area, said the attackers attacked the First ECWA Church and St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, where worshipers had gathered for Easter services. He said the final death toll could be up to eight.

“I am currently reaching out to the community to find out the exact number of casualties,” he said. “Some sources said seven people were killed, while others claimed eight people were killed,” Bawa told local media. The individual deaths could not be immediately resolved.

Caleb Mazi, president of the Christian Union of Nigeria in Kaduna state, said seven people were killed and confirmed that two churches were attacked. “The findings are still ongoing.”

He said that due to poor telecommunication coverage in the area the attackers may have been able to carry out the attack without a quick response from the authorities.

“The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and started firing on the worshippers. Many were killed and many others were taken to the bushes,” he said.

It was not immediately clear how many people were abducted after the raid.

pattern of attacks

Nigerian media reported that the incident comes less than two months after a similar attack on the Kurmin Wali community in Kachia local government area, where several worshipers were abducted during a church service in February 2026.

Local Christians say Christian communities in northern Nigeria have long faced violence from Islamic militants and armed “bandits”, including criminal gangs.

According to sources familiar with the situation, these groups often target Christian villages, churches and travelers, carrying out killings and kidnappings for ransom or for ideological reasons.

Authorities have struggled to contain the violence, especially in remote areas with limited infrastructure and security presence.

Nigeria on world watch list

Nigeria is ranked seventh in the latest world watch list compiled by Open Doors, which tracks countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Investigators say about 3,490 Christians were killed in Nigeria last year, the highest number recorded globally, underscoring the country’s status as an epicenter of anti-Christian violence.

US President Donald J. Trump responded by designating Nigeria a “Country of Special Concern” and threatening action. He has described the killings of Christians as “genocide”.

On Christmas Day 2025, Trump ordered US airstrikes against Islamic State-linked targets in Sokoto state in northwestern Nigeria, saying he had warned the militants that there would be “hell to pay” if the killing of Christians continued.

The attacks were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, marking a rare direct US military intervention in the country’s long-running conflict with extremist groups.

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