Fresh fears have gripped residents of rural communities in Kaduna State after suspected armed bandits abducted a catechist, his pregnant wife, their child and dozens of other villagers during coordinated night attacks in the state’s troubled northwestern axis.
The incident, reported over the weekend in mid-February 2026, occurred in two predominantly Christian communities where gunmen reportedly stormed homes under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically before rounding up residents at gunpoint. Local sources said about 30 people were taken away, although some victims managed to escape while being marched into nearby forest areas.
Church leaders confirmed that a catechist attached to a local parish was among those kidnapped, alongside his expectant wife, heightening anxiety among residents and religious groups.
The victims were reportedly forced toward remote locations believed to be near the border with Niger State, an area often exploited by criminal gangs due to difficult terrain and limited security presence.
Community members described the attack as swift and well-coordinated, leaving many families displaced and others fleeing to neighboring towns for safety.
Survivors recounted that the gunmen arrived in large numbers, overpowering local vigilantes before whisking away their captives.
Evidence of ‘Christian Genocide’?
While authorities often attribute such attacks to bandit groups seeking ransom, Christian leaders repeatedly cite these incidents as evidence of an attempt to decimate the Christian community in the northern region.
Security agencies are said to have launched search operations in surrounding forests, though as of press time, there was no official confirmation of rescues or arrests.
Government officials have yet to release a detailed statement on the incident.
Nigeria’s northwest continues to struggle with overlapping security challenges, but not only them, as it is also creeping into the south.
The porous forest corridors between Kaduna and neighboring states have made coordinated enforcement difficult, despite ongoing military deployments.
For residents, however, the immediate concern remains the safe return of their loved ones.
Families of the abducted victims are reportedly seeking intervention from security agencies, while church groups call for urgent government action to halt what appears to be a worsening humanitarian and security crisis.
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