Pastor and Newlywed Victims of Abduction in Nigeria's Ongoing Violence

Tue Dec 02 2025 06:39:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In recent attacks across Nigeria, a pastor and a newly married woman were among the 20 individuals kidnapped. This disturbing trend highlights the growing insecurity affecting places of worship and rural communities.

Gunmen in Nigeria have abducted at least 20 people, including a pastor and his wife, during separate assaults in Kogi and Sokoto states. These incidents are part of a troubling pattern of violent kidnappings that target various community members, exacerbating fears regarding safety in rural areas. The government's response has yet to address the growing threat adequately, as kidnapping for ransom continues to plague the nation.

Gunmen have abducted at least 20 people, including a pastor and a new bride, in two separate attacks in the latest Nigerian kidnappings.

Attackers stormed the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church on Sunday in the central Kogi state, firing shots and forcing congregants to flee in panic. They seized the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers.

In another raid the night before in the northern Sokoto state, a bride and her bridesmaids were among those kidnapped. A baby, the baby's mother, and another woman were also taken, according to reports.

Schools and places of worship have increasingly been targeted in the latest wave of attacks in north and central Nigeria.

It is not clear who is behind the kidnappings; most analysts believe they are perpetrated by criminal gangs seeking ransom payments. However, a presidential spokesman has stated that they believe these actions may also involve jihadist groups.

Kogi state government spokesman Kingsley Fanwo confirmed the attack and mentioned that authorities are working to track down the attackers.

In the Sokoto state incident, local media reported that the bride was preparing for her wedding the next day when she was kidnapped along with her friends and family members.

The spate of abductions has raised alarm about the vulnerability of rural communities and adds to the pressure on authorities for enhanced protective measures for schools and places of worship.

Despite an outlaw on paying ransoms to deter kidnappings, it is widely believed that such payments still occur, suggesting the resilience of the kidnapping industry.

Nigeria's security crisis was highlighted last month after threats from international figures drew attention to the violence affecting both Christians and Muslims alike.

Additional reporting by Basillioh Rukanga