BY GODWIN OBI
The United States has expressed serious concern over Nigeria’s ability to protect Christian communities following the abduction of more than 170 worshippers in Kaduna State, urging the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to curb the attacks.
The warning came as senior U.S. officials arrived in Nigeria for a week-long diplomatic engagement aimed at reviewing counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable religious groups.
Gunmen had on Sunday attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting 177 worshippers. While 11 later escaped, 166 remain in captivity. Field reports indicated that the abductors were sighted moving through forest corridors with their captives days after the attack.
The concerns were raised during a meeting of the Nigeria–U.S. 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 talks followed renewed diplomatic tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom.
Speaking at the meeting, Hooker said recent attacks showed that Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria remained dangerously exposed despite ongoing security operations.
“We are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritise counter-terrorism, investigate attacks, hold perpetrators accountable, and reduce killings, displacement and abductions, particularly in the North Central states,” she said.
Hooker acknowledged recent successes, including the release of abducted worshippers in Kwara State and students from a Catholic school, but said the mass abduction in Kaduna underscored persistent security gaps.
“The government of Nigeria must do more to protect Christians and their right to practise their faith freely and safely,” she added.
She noted that strengthening religious freedom and security would deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, economic development, health and regional stability.
In response, Ribadu described the Kaduna abduction as unacceptable and assured that the Federal Government had intensified joint military operations, intelligence coordination and investigations to track and prosecute those responsible.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims and those of other beliefs—is non-negotiable,” Ribadu said. “Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had authorised expanded security deployments, intensified joint operations and sustained presence in vulnerable communities, particularly those experiencing repeated attacks.
Ribadu added that the government was strengthening early-warning and rapid-response systems, while developing a national database to provide accurate and verifiable data on deaths and casualties linked to violence to improve accountability and security response.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the engagement reflected sustained efforts to deepen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver concrete results.
“This is the third high-level engagement with senior U.S. 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 collaboration with the United States had translated into operational gains through intelligence sharing and coordination, strengthening ongoing military operations across affected regions.
Idris also confirmed U.S. commitments to deliver outstanding military equipment procured over the past five years, including drones, helicopters and support systems.
“Nigeria is acting decisively. Security agencies have clear instructions to protect communities and respond swiftly to threats,” the minister said, urging Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as security reforms continue.
Meanwhile, security sources confirmed that the abductors of the Kurmin Wali worshippers had demanded the return of 17 motorcycles allegedly seized during recent military operations as a condition for the victims’ release. Surveillance and rescue efforts are ongoing.
Both Nigeria and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation, with a focus on reducing killings, abductions and displacement, as they work to stem insecurity and terrorism.
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