Kaduna State in northern Nigeria has been hit by a new wave of deadly violence, with armed groups abducting at least 51 people and killing three others in a series of coordinated attacks targeting four predominantly Christian villages. This incident underscores once again the serious deterioration of security in Africa's most populous nation.
Details of the attacks and targeting of religious symbols
Security sources and eyewitnesses reported that the attacks continued for three days, targeting both unarmed civilians and religious figures, reflecting the indiscriminate and brutal nature of these assaults. In the Karko area, gunmen abducted 11 people, including Catholic priest Nathaniel Asway. In a nearly simultaneous attack in the Kasur Magani area of Kajuru district, three people were killed and 38 others were abducted, including a local imam, underscoring that the gunmen's bullets make no distinction between Muslims and Christians in these troubled regions.
The economy of kidnapping: the industry of organized crime
Kidnappings in Nigeria are no longer isolated incidents; they have transformed into a kind of "organized industry" generating millions of dollars for criminal gangs. According to a report by the Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence, kidnappers earned an estimated $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025. This shift towards economic crime has turned citizens into bargaining chips, with large ransoms demanded for their release, burdening impoverished families and devastating the local economy.
Security context and historical background
Nigeria has been grappling with complex security challenges for years, ranging from insurgencies by jihadist groups like Boko Haram in the northeast to armed bandit gangs operating in the northwest and central regions. Kaduna State is a hotspot for this conflict due to its geographic location and ethnic and religious diversity. These repeated attacks have displaced thousands of villagers and disrupted agricultural and commercial activities, threatening food security in the region.
International Reactions and Dimensions
This wave of violence has drawn widespread international criticism of the Nigerian authorities' inability to establish control and protect their citizens. The United States has already expressed its concern, with President Donald Trump condemning what he called the persecution of Christians, although the situation on the ground indicates that the violence affects all segments of Nigerian society. In an attempt to contain the situation, the Nigerian president declared a state of emergency and launched a large-scale recruitment campaign to combat the insecurity, but logistical challenges and the vastness of remote areas continue to hinder security forces.
