The United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs has denounced the mass abduction of church worshippers in Kaduna State, warning that the U.S. government will not ignore continued violence targeting Christians in Nigeria.
More than 160 worshippers were kidnapped on Sunday when armed bandits stormed churches during worship services in the Kure area of Kajuru Local Government Area. The attack triggered widespread concern, particularly after initial denials by local authorities.
Both the Kaduna State Government and the Nigerian Police Force initially dismissed reports of the abduction.
However, officials later confirmed on Wednesday that the incident did occur, validating accounts from residents and church leaders.
Sources with knowledge of the situation revealed that the kidnappers are demanding the return of 17 motorcycles allegedly confiscated during recent military operations.
The motorcycles are estimated to be worth approximately ₦28.9 million and are reportedly being used as leverage for the release of the abducted worshippers.
Reacting to the development, the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation via its verified account on X on Wednesday. The committee described the attackers as Islamic extremists and stated that more than 168 Christians were taken during coordinated raids on churches.
The statement referenced former President Donald Trump’s stance on religious violence, noting that the United States “cannot stand by” while such acts continue in Nigeria and emphasizing that the killing and kidnapping of innocent Christians would not be tolerated.
In a related response, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, also condemned the attack and called on Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable Christian communities.
Hooker made the remarks on Thursday during a high-level United States–Nigeria Working Group meeting in Abuja. She stressed the need for stronger security measures and urged the Nigerian government to uphold its constitutional obligation to guarantee freedom of worship for all citizens.
Also Read: IShowSpeed Snubs Peller, Visits Jadrolita During Lagos Tour
According to her, ensuring the safety of religious communities remains essential to preserving stability and human rights across the country.
