RismadarVoice Reporters
January 23, 2026
The United States has expressed serious concern over Nigeria’s capacity to protect Christian communities, following the abduction of 177 worshippers in Kaduna State, warning that recent attacks point to persistent security gaps despite ongoing counterterrorism operations.
The concern follows an attack on three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, on Sunday, where gunmen abducted more than 177 worshippers.
While 11 victims reportedly escaped, 166 remain in captivity, according to local sources.
The warning came on Thursday as a high-level United States delegation arrived in Nigeria for a week-long diplomatic tour focused on counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable religious groups across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
US-Nigeria Security Talks Amid Rising Tensions:
The engagement took place under the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group, co-chaired by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker.
The meeting occurred amid heightened diplomatic tensions following the re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by U.S. President Donald Trump over alleged violations of religious freedom.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of systemic persecution of Christians, insisting that insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of faith.
Speaking after the meeting, Hooker said recent attacks demonstrated that Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria remained dangerously exposed.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities; prioritising countering terrorism and insecurity; investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable; and reducing killings, forced displacements and abductions of Christians, particularly in the North Central States,” she said.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s recent efforts, including the rescue of 38 Christians abducted from a church in Kwara State and 265 others from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Hooker said the Kaduna abduction highlighted ongoing failures.
“However, we are concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians in Kaduna State on January 18.
The government of Nigeria must do more to protect Christians and their right to practice their faith freely and safely,” she added.
Bandits Sighted Moving With Captives:
Hooker’s remarks came amid field reports that the abductors were sighted trekking with their captives through forest routes between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities in Kajuru, areas long identified as bandit corridors.
The kidnappers have reportedly demanded the return of 17 motorcycles, valued at ₦28.9 million, allegedly seized during recent military operations, as a condition for releasing the victims.
Nigeria Vows Stronger Action:
In response, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, assuring that the Federal Government had intensified joint military operations, intelligence coordination, and investigations into attacks on religious communities.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens – Christians, Muslims, those of other beliefs is nonnegotiable.
Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself,” Ribadu said.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had authorised expanded security deployments, enhanced intelligence coordination, and declared national security emergencies in high-risk areas.
Ribadu also revealed plans to develop a national database on deaths and casualties arising from violence, aimed at improving accountability and evidence-based security responses.
FG, U.S. Deepen Security Cooperation:
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the engagement reflected sustained efforts to deepen Nigeria–U.S. security cooperation.
“This is the third high-level engagement with senior United States officials since November 2025. It shows that our partnership is active, serious and focused on outcomes that matter to Nigerians,” Idris said.
He noted that intelligence sharing and operational coordination had strengthened military operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Operation Fasan Yamma in the North West.
Idris also confirmed U.S. commitments to deliver outstanding military equipment procured over the past five years, including drones, helicopters and support systems, as well as surplus defence assets.
High-Level Attendance and Broader Diplomatic Tour:
The meeting was attended by senior Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The U.S. delegation included AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. John Brennan and other senior officials.
According to the U.S. State Department, Hooker will proceed from Nigeria to Oman, Bahrain and Italy, where she is scheduled to hold strategic dialogues on global security issues, economic cooperation, humanitarian assistance and international conflicts.
