Kidnappings surge in Nigeria despite security talks with United States

‘A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,’ warned Congressman Riley Moore.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have kidnapped more than 30 Christians, including a local catechist and his pregnant wife, in an attack on the Kutaho and Kugir communities in north-western Nigeria.

The assault, which took place on 9 February, has forced an estimated 95 per cent of the local population to flee, according to Fr Linus Mathew Bobai, the parish priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.

“We are very tense. Some of us are afraid but we cannot run away because we are pastors, and we encouraged a few others to stay behind and look after the community,” Fr Bobai said.

This incident is the latest in a string of abductions targeting Christian communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt. On 6 February, six teenagers were taken during a night vigil at St John of the Cross Catholic Church in the Utonkon district.

On 5 February, attackers raided the Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kafanchan, kidnapping Fr Nathaniel Asuwaye and ten others. In a separate attack on 18 January, at least 177 Christians were kidnapped from Kurmin Wali during church services, though they were later released after two weeks in captivity.

The recent spate of kidnappings triggered has reaction from Church leaders in Taraba State. On 12 February, priests, nuns, and religious leaders from Catholic communities across the state came together to protest what they called a “heartbreaking carnage” that has left at least 100 deaths and forced more than 90,000 Christians to flee from their homes since the beginning of the year. Carrying placards, the protesters expressed frustration over what they described as the indifference of authorities.

“The suspected Fulani militias who carry out these attacks usually come in the wee hours, mostly while people are sleeping, and launch the attacks, killing anyone in sight and setting houses and harvests ablaze,” said Fr James Yaro of the Diocese of Wukari in a statement.

Some Church leaders have described the surge in kidnappings as a deliberate “message of defiance”, noting that the attacks have spiked despite the United States deploying military personnel to assist Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.

US Congressman Riley Moore warned that efforts to strengthen separatist movements in Nigeria would further endanger Christian communities rather than offer them protection.

In a social media post on 14 February, Moore said proposals to divide Nigeria did not feature prominently in his discussions with stakeholders during his visits to Nigeria to discuss the issue of Christian killings by terrorists.

“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way,” he wrote. “Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria, especially in the North and Middle Belt.”

Moore warned that further destabilisation would worsen the country’s security situation and embolden terrorist groups. “A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said.

The congressman reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for the protection of Christians and all Nigerians affected by violence.

“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ – and, for that matter, all Nigerians – suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria,” Moore added.

He also disclosed that the United States and Nigeria have entered into a security cooperation agreement, describing it as a significant step towards addressing violence and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Moore made the remarks after a visit to Nigeria in December, which he described as a fact-finding mission to assess reports of widespread violence against Christians across the country. His comments come amid increased international attention following suggestions by US President Donald Trump that military intervention could be considered to address the insecurity.

During his visit, Moore held talks with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on the security challenges facing vulnerable regions. He also travelled to Benue State, where he met Governor Hyacinth Alia, alongside religious and traditional leaders, to discuss the impact of ongoing violence.

The US lawmaker and members of his delegation also visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State, engaging with humanitarian organisations and families forced to flee their homes due to persistent attacks. Moore said the interactions provided first-hand insight into the humanitarian toll of the insecurity.

Meanwhile Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, described US forces’ Christmas Day strikes on Islamist militants in northwest Nigeria as a “blessing”, signalling that President Bola Tinubu’s government welcomes further US involvement as it confronts insurgents and criminal gangs.

“The intervention of the US was quite a welcome development,” Tinubu told Fox News Digital during a week-long visit to Washington DC. “Nigeria is looking forward to collaboration” with the US on security issues, she said. “We are expecting that there will be more.”

“Terrorist groups hide in the forest, and also bandits and other people are kidnapping for ransom,” Tinubu continued.

“We are concerned about our people’s safety,” she added, pointing to steps taken by the Nigerian government, including a nationwide security emergency, plans to recruit 50,000 new police officers and the redeployment of more than 11,000 officers from VIP protection duties to conflict-prone areas.

Despite the negative attention, the US’ focus on Christian killings opened conversations between Nigeria and the US, according to Tinubu.

“We have that attention. We have the conversation going. And we are expecting that there will be more. You know, it’s going to yield better fruit for us, and both for us and also America.”

During her Washington visit, Tinubu met with senior administration officials, where she said she sought to explain the realities of Nigeria’s security crisis. “We live in Nigeria. We know the situation on the ground,” she said.

A political figure in her own right, Tinubu served as a senator until 2023. She is also part of an interfaith marriage at a time of deep religious tension in Nigeria: she is a Christian and an ordained pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the country’s largest megachurches, while her husband is Muslim.

King Charles III will host the Tinubus on 18-19 March for Nigeria’s first state visit to the UK in 37 years.

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: