By Staff Reporter
The final group of 89 Christians abducted during attacks on three churches in northern Nigeria has been released and safely returned home.
The worshippers were kidnapped by armed gangs during Sunday services on 18 January in Kaduna State. Their release on Thursday marks the return of nearly 200 people who were taken in the coordinated attacks.
The freed victims arrived by bus under security escort and were received by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. The governor confirmed that all those released had undergone medical examinations.
“I am happy to announce that all of them have been certified medically fit. They have all returned home and are now with their families,” he said.
Authorities did not disclose the details surrounding their release. Although ransom payments are illegal in Nigeria, there are frequent suspicions that negotiations involving payments often take place in such cases.
The Kaduna abductions came shortly after another large-scale kidnapping in neighbouring Niger State, where hundreds of Catholic schoolchildren were abducted and later released late last year.
Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, including attacks by armed criminal gangs, extremist groups, and ongoing farmer-herder conflicts across various regions.
