62 Nigerian hostages rescued, 2 militants killed, army says

The Nigerian military reported rescuing 62 hostages and killing two militants in two separate operations in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto states on Wednesday. The raids occurred after a recent surge in kidnappings, including the abduction of over 160 worshippers from two churches in Kaduna state on Sunday. The military raided a location in Zamfara state based on intelligence about captives being held there, and the rescued hostages are being reunited with their families. In a separate incident, soldiers ambushed militants in the border region between Kebbi and Sokoto states. These events are part of a larger pattern of religiously fueled attacks and mass kidnappings by armed gangs in Nigeria, particularly in the northern and central regions.

On January 21, 2026, armed attackers kidnapped over 170 people from three churches in a village in northern Nigeria. The mass abduction has instilled fear in the community, as families await news of their relatives' safety. According to Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, who spoke with escapees, the incident has left the village gripped by uncertainty. The motive behind the kidnapping remains unclear, but the large number of victims has raised serious concerns about security in the region. The fate of those abducted is currently unknown.

Nigerian police have denied reports of mass abductions of worshippers from churches in Kaduna state on Sunday. According to a joint statement by the Kaduna state police commissioner and local government officials on Monday, the reports are false and intended to cause chaos. This denial contradicts earlier claims from a local official and community leader in Kurmin Wali, who stated that gunmen kidnapped dozens, even up to 177 people, from multiple churches. Security forces were dispatched to the area but found no evidence of an attack. Nigeria has been facing a surge in mass kidnappings for ransom, along with other security challenges including Islamist insurgency and clashes between herders and farmers.

Armed gunmen abducted dozens of worshippers from at least two churches in Kurmin Wali, Nigeria, on Sunday during morning services. While police reported a conservative estimate of those kidnapped, a church leader stated that over 160 people were abducted. The attackers, reportedly using sophisticated weapons, are suspected to be Muslim Fulani militants who frequently target Christian communities in northern and central Nigeria for ransom. Security forces have been deployed to locate the abductors and rescue the captives. Nigeria has seen a rise in mass kidnappings, with Christians being disproportionately targeted, leading to the country being named the epicenter of global killings of Christians.