Kaduna State

Kaduna State, located in northern Nigeria, is experiencing a surge in violence and kidnappings, making it a focal point of concern in early 2026. Recent reports highlight mass abductions, particularly targeting Christian worshippers during church services. Initial denials by police and government officials regarding the scale of these incidents were later contradicted by confirmations of dozens of villagers being kidnapped. The military has reported rescuing some hostages and killing militants in operations against armed groups. The state's relevance is heightened by reports identifying Nigeria as the epicenter of global killings of Christians for their faith in 2025, with a significant portion of these deaths occurring in the sub-Saharan region. The ongoing insecurity is causing displacement, with residents fleeing villages affected by the kidnappings.