The Nigerian Army has rescued 31 civilians who were taken hostage during a Sunday morning church attack in north-west Nigeria.
According to the military, five people were killed when gunmen attacked Easter celebrations at a church in Ariko, located in Kaduna State. However, a local church official earlier reported that seven people had died.
The army said its troops engaged the attackers in a “fierce firefight,” forcing them to flee and abandon both the hostages and the bodies of the victims. It added that the fleeing assailants likely suffered significant casualties, citing blood trails along their escape routes.
Security forces have since deployed additional troops to track down the attackers and strengthen security in the area.
Northern Nigeria continues to face persistent insecurity, with attacks and kidnappings frequently carried out by armed gangs—commonly referred to as bandits—as well as extremist groups linked to jihadist groups.
Local media reports suggested that residents believed the attackers operated for some time before security forces intervened, raising concerns about response times.
In a separate development, the military reportedly killed 65 bandits during an operation in Zamfara State, following recent mass abductions in villages in the area. Authorities have launched a manhunt for those responsible.
—BBC
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