U.S. Urges Nigeria to Step Up Protection for Christians Following Kaduna Abductions

The United States government has called on Nigeria to take stronger and more decisive action to protect Christian communities, following the recent abduction of over 170 worshippers in Kaduna State.

The Kaduna State Government and the police initially denied the abduction on January 18, 2026, but later confirmed the incident, revealing that the abductors are demanding the return of 17 motorcycles valued at ₦28.9 million as a condition for releasing the victims.

Speaking at a U.S.–Nigeria Working Group meeting in Abuja on Thursday, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker emphasized the need to deter violence against Christians, strengthen counterterrorism efforts, and ensure accountability for attacks.

“While recent actions, including the release of 38 Christians in Kwara State and 265 students from St. Mary’s Catholic School, represent progress, the recent Kaduna abductions show that more must be done to guarantee the safety of Christians and their right to freely practise their faith,” Hooker said.

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Hooker also highlighted that advancing religious freedom and security will enhance U.S.–Nigeria relations in areas such as trade, economic cooperation, health responses, and counterterrorism, while supporting the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their communities.

In response, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu acknowledged the severity of the security situation and confirmed that the government is intensifying military and law enforcement operations in affected areas. He stressed that attacks framed along religious lines are unacceptable and will be met with force and justice.

“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and other faiths—is non-negotiable,” Ribadu said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised expanded security deployments, enhanced intelligence coordination, and stronger investigations into attacks on religious communities.”

Ribadu also outlined measures such as early-warning systems, rapid-response mechanisms, and a national database to track deaths and casualties. He reiterated that perpetrators of attacks on religious communities will be tracked, investigated, and prosecuted, ensuring justice and accountability alongside security responses.

The U.S. and Nigerian authorities are now working collaboratively to curb violence in North-Central states, interdict funding to terrorist groups, and restore security to vulnerable Christian communities.

U.S. Urges Nigeria to Step Up Protection for Christians Following Kaduna Abductions

Presidency Clarifies: Insecurity in Nigeria Affects All Faiths, Not a Religious War

The Presidency has clarified that the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria is a national security challenge affecting citizens of all religions, dismissing claims that violence is part of a religious war.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Abba Tijjani Hashim, emphasized that framing the crisis as religious persecution could deepen divisions and undermine national unity. He noted that the government is engaging with religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance, and cohesion across communities.

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The clarification comes amid widespread discussions following attacks on worshippers in parts of northern and central Nigeria, including the recent Kaduna church abductions, which saw over 150 people kidnapped. While these incidents drew international attention, the Presidency stressed that terrorism, banditry, and armed attacks affect both Muslim and Christian communities, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.

Analysts point out that factors such as economic inequality, governance gaps, and weak law enforcement, rather than religion, primarily drive the country’s insecurity. Religious and civil society groups have also echoed calls for national unity and collective efforts to tackle violence while safeguarding all citizens.

The government’s statement underscores the commitment to address insecurity in a non-partisan and inclusive manner, reinforcing that no faith group is targeted exclusively and that solutions require cooperation across religious and regional divides.

Presidency Clarifies: Insecurity in Nigeria Affects All Faiths, Not a Religious War

FCCPC Cracks Down on Non-Registered Digital Loan Apps Nationwide

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commenced full enforcement actions against non-registered digital money lenders operating illegally across Nigeria, following the expiration of its compliance deadline.

In a statement, the FCCPC confirmed that several digital loan apps and online lending platforms have been delisted after failing to meet the requirements of the Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations. The commission said operators without valid registration or conditional approval will no longer be allowed to conduct lending business in the country.

According to the FCCPC, the enforcement drive is aimed at protecting consumers from harassment, data privacy abuses, and predatory lending practices that have become common among unregulated digital lenders. The regulator disclosed that it is working closely with app stores, payment service providers, and other regulators to ensure that non-compliant loan apps are shut down and prevented from re-emerging under new identities.

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FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, stressed that the action is not designed to stifle innovation but to restore confidence and transparency in Nigeria’s growing digital lending sector. He warned that continued violations could attract sanctions, including fines, suspension of operations, and legal action against directors of defaulting companies.

The commission added that digital lenders who were granted conditional approval but failed to complete full registration within the stipulated timeline have also been affected, as the FCCPC intensifies oversight of a sector that serves millions of Nigerians.

With the enforcement now underway, the FCCPC says it remains committed to ensuring that only licensed and compliant digital money lenders operate in Nigeria, while urging borrowers to verify lenders on the commission’s official register before taking loans.

FCCPC Cracks Down on Non-Registered Digital Loan Apps Nationwide