Authorities have successfully secured the release of all 166 worshippers who were abducted during attacks on two churches in Kaduna State last month, the Christian Association of Nigeria announced on Thursday.
The development brings an end to weeks of worry and uncertainty surrounding the fate of the victims.
CAN praised the role of both prayer and military efforts in achieving the rescue but did not provide details on how the church members were recovered or the exact timing. Requests for comment from the military, police, and Kaduna local government were not immediately answered.
The group explained that gunmen stormed the churches on January 18, taking 177 people hostage and forcing them into nearby forests. Eleven individuals escaped during the initial raid, leaving 166 missing at the time.
This case adds to a series of violent incidents targeting churches in northern Nigeria, which have sparked international concern. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Nigeria’s authorities for not adequately protecting Christians, a claim the government in Abuja rejects.
In late December, U.S. forces carried out strikes on locations they identified as terrorist targets in northwest Nigeria.
In the days following the attacks, confusion emerged over the actual number of abducted worshippers. Police first denied that any kidnapping had occurred, before later reporting that 80 of the victims had fled to nearby villages and returned home. Such discrepancies between CAN and police reports have been common in previous abduction cases.
Rev. John Hayab, head of CAN’s northern chapter, confirmed on Thursday that all the church members had been freed, ending weeks of speculation and differing accounts.
“What we know is that they have been rescued. Nobody asked us to gather any money, and nobody collected a penny from us,” he said. “Of course, the bandits still have their demands, but we did not have any amount to give them.”
Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, CAN’s Kaduna leader, also confirmed the release, noting that the freed worshippers were set to meet the state governor.
“The stage is set for them to be brought ... His Excellency will meet with them. This is a result of the prayers we have offered,” he said, adding that he had just returned from the government house in Kaduna.
