KADUNA, NIGERIA – The United States is urging Nigeria to provide more protection for Christians in the country after nearly 200 congregants were kidnapped during worship services this past Sunday (Jan. 18). The abductions occurred in three churches in Kurmin Wali, which is a community in the Kajuru area of Kaduna state.
Government officials in Kaduna and the Nigerian Police Force initially denied the kidnappings. Such entities later confirmed that around 177 Christians were captured at gunpoint from their churches during worship services. The gunmen allegedly demanded 17 motorcycles from the families of those kidnapped, which carries a value of ₦28.9 million (approximately $17,000).
“Persistent attacks on religious communities undermine security gains and public confidence,” Allison Hooker, United States Under Secretary, said on Thursday (Jan. 22).
“We are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities; prioritise counterterrorism; investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable; and reduce the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions, particularly in the North Central states.”
The United States military launched strikes in Sokoto at the direction of President Trump on December 25, 2025, in efforts to weaken an Islamic State group in the region. A Nigerian minister and humanitarian, Rebecca Dali, suggested using U.S. intelligence to expose jihadist sympathizers during a January 13, 2026, testimony before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
“You cannot bomb these terrorists,” Dali said. “In that forest that the U.S. bombed, there are some communities there that a lot of people are affected and they are scared,” she continued. “They are really devastated by the violence.”
Dali went on to tell the USCIRF, “Violence always begets violence. And I am also a survivor, because I was captured by Boko Haram,” the humanitarian said of her personal experience with terrorism.
“I urge you to only consider peaceful methods, ones that encourage collaboration and strengthen communities. For too long, we have borne the brunt (of the persecution), and mostly women and children. But I know when communities start to stand strongly together, we shall overcome.”