ABUJA, Nigeria — Christian communities in Nigeria’s Kaduna and Benue states came under attack over Easter weekend, with gunmen striking worshippers in Ariko village and killing villagers in the Mbalom area. The exact toll in Kaduna remains disputed: Nigeria’s army said troops rescued 31 hostages and recovered five bodies after the Ariko church attack, while local officials, later reported 12 Christians killed. In Benue, local reporting said 17 people were killed in Mbalom.
According to local news sources, the Kaduna assault targeted two congregations during Easter worship services in the predominantly Christian town of Ariko: an Evangelical Church Winning All congregation and St. Augustine Catholic Church. Residents told the outlet that dozens of worshippers were abducted into the surrounding bush and that both church buildings were damaged. Reuters, citing the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna, also reported that two churches were attacked and that the number of dead and abducted was still being verified.
In Benue state, armed men attacked the Mbalom area early on Easter, killing 17 people and leaving others missing. Residents, said the victims were Christians and reported that homes were destroyed and additional residents were believed to have been abducted. AP described the Benue violence as part of the long-running conflict involving predominantly Muslim Fulani herders and largely Christian farming communities, while residents quoted by Morning Star identified the attackers in both Kaduna and Benue as Fulani militants or bandits.
The attacks landed during one of the most important days on the Christian calendar and added to growing concern about insecurity in northern Nigeria. Reuters reported earlier this year that more than 170 worshippers were abducted during church services in Kaduna state, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has said Nigerian authorities are often unable or slow to prevent attacks by armed non-state actors, including bandit gangs, Fulani herders, Boko Haram, and ISWAP.
