Gunmen Attack Kaduna Churches During Easter, Kill 7, Abduct Worshippers

Suspected terrorists have launched a deadly assault on Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, attacking two Christian worship centres during Easter celebrations and killing at least seven people, while abducting several others.

The coordinated attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, has heightened fresh concerns over security in Southern Kaduna, especially during major religious events.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, reportedly arriving on motorcycles, before opening fire on worshippers gathered for Easter services. The gunmen targeted First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, shooting indiscriminately and causing chaos among congregants.

Mark Bawa, councillor representing Awon Ward, confirmed the incident, stating that the exact number of casualties is still being verified.

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“I am currently on my way to the community to ascertain the exact number of casualties. Some sources said seven persons were killed, while others claimed eight. I will provide an update once details are confirmed,” he said.

Residents said the assailants surrounded the churches and operated for an extended period without resistance, a situation blamed partly on poor telecommunications coverage, which delayed distress calls and emergency response.

“The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers. Several people were killed, and many others were taken away into the bush,” Bawa added.

Survivors revealed that several victims, including women and children, were abducted and forced into nearby forest areas, raising fears about their safety as rescue efforts continue.

Security operatives have reportedly been deployed to the area, with search-and-rescue operations underway. However, local sources fear the attackers may have retreated into forest corridors around Kachia and adjoining communities, known to harbour armed groups.

The latest violence comes barely two months after a similar attack in Kurmin Wali community, also in Kachia LGA, where dozens of worshippers were abducted during a church gathering. That incident triggered widespread outrage and renewed calls for stronger security presence in Kaduna communities.

Efforts to get an official response from the Kaduna State Police Command are ongoing, as authorities continue to assess the situation.

Analysts say the repeated targeting of rural communities during religious celebrations underscores the persistent insecurity in Kaduna State and the urgent need for improved intelligence, rapid response systems, and enhanced protection for vulnerable populations.

Gunmen Attack Kaduna Churches During Easter, Kill 7, Abduct Worshippers

Military Arrests Two Suspects, Recovers Weapons After Jos Crisis

The Nigerian Military has arrested two suspects and recovered weapons following a deadly crisis that hit several communities in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. The arrests were made to prevent further escalation and restore peace and security in the troubled region.

Captain Chinonso Oteh, Media Officer for the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, explained that troops launched a comprehensive stop-and-search operation across the Jos metropolis on Friday. The operation focused on key flashpoints and major transit routes to identify and detain suspects linked to the violence.

During the operation, troops recovered a fabricated AK‑47 rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a pump-action firearm with a cutlass. The arrests and recoveries were conducted in areas including Dadinkowa, Old Airport Junction, Tudun Wada, and the State Low-Cost Housing Estate.

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In a simultaneous development, troops responded to a distress call involving sporadic shooting at the Yelwa Cattle Market in Shendam. Soldiers applied superior tactical pressure, forcing suspected gunmen to retreat into nearby forested areas, preventing further civilian casualties. Two residents who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident were evacuated for immediate medical attention.

The military emphasized that the arrests and weapons recovery are part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activity and restore lasting peace in Plateau State. Operation Enduring Peace continues to maintain a dominant security presence, particularly in flashpoint areas, and will persist until the threat of violence is fully neutralized.

Plateau State has faced recurrent insecurity in recent years, with conflicts often stemming from disputes between farmers, herders, and armed groups. Security analysts note that operations like these, combined with intelligence-led patrols, are critical in disrupting the activities of armed gangs and safeguarding local communities.

Captain Oteh reiterated the military’s commitment to ensuring stability and protection for residents. He affirmed that troops would continue to engage communities, enforce law and order, and carry out proactive measures to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

The arrests and recovery of illegal weapons have been welcomed by local leaders and residents, who continue to urge authorities to sustain these operations and promote reconciliation among affected communities.

Military Arrests Two Suspects, Recovers Weapons After Jos Crisis

Wike Clarifies ‘Shoot’ Remark About TV Anchor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has moved to quell the controversy trailing his recent remarks about Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, insisting that his comments were taken out of context and never intended as a threat.

Wike had sparked public outrage after stating during a media engagement that he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” the television anchor over comments suggesting that a one-party system could undermine Nigeria’s democracy. The remark drew swift condemnation from civil society groups, including Amnesty International, which described the statement as “reckless and violent.”

However, in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the minister said the comment was merely a figure of speech expressed in anger and not a literal threat.

According to the statement, Wike had already clarified his position during the same live television programme where the remark was made, stressing that he had no intention whatsoever of harming Okinbaloye.

“The minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye,” the statement read. “They even spoke on the phone today, and he (Okinbaloye) clearly understood what the minister meant.”

Olayinka explained that Wike’s frustration stemmed from what he perceived as a departure from journalistic neutrality by the anchor, whom he said the minister holds in high regard.

“What the minister meant, which he made clear during the media chat, was that he was displeased seeing Okinbaloye—whom he respects as a journalist—descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, rather than maintaining the role of an interviewer,” the statement added.

The aide further described the controversial remark as “hyperbolic,” noting that it was an exaggeration used to emphasise the minister’s displeasure and not an expression of violent intent.

He also pointed out that other journalists present during the interview, including Chamberlain Uzor, reportedly treated the comment lightly, with laughter following Wike’s clarification on air.

“Even after the minister explained himself during the live programme, including stating clearly that he did not mean he would carry a gun to shoot the anchor, the context was well understood by those present,” Olayinka said.

The statement accused critics of deliberately misrepresenting the minister’s words for political purposes, warning against what it described as attempts to weaponise the comment for “blackmail and propaganda.”

“The public is therefore urged to disregard attempts by individuals or groups to twist the minister’s statement out of context in pursuit of political gains,” the statement concluded.

The incident has continued to generate debate within Nigeria’s media and political space, raising broader concerns about the tone of public discourse and the responsibilities of public officials in their engagements with the press.

Wike Clarifies ‘Shoot’ Remark About TV Anchor