Nigerian army rescues 31 hostages after church attack

Soldiers of the Nigerian Army rescued 31 civilians abducted during an Easter service in Ariko village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The army said the attack occurred during an Easter service.

The rescue operation followed a distress call that terrorists had stormed the ECWA church in the village and kidnapped worshippers during the service.

In a statement posted on its X account on Sunday, the army said on receipt of the information, the troops quickly mobilised and with the support and guidance of members of the Ariko community, continued to pursue the fleeing attackers.

The army said the soldiers engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight and overpowered them due to superior firepower.

The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria for Kaduna state, Caleb Maaji, said that two churches were attacked in Ariko village on Sunday. He said that seven people were killed and an unknown number taken hostage. "Findings are still ongoing," Maaji told Reuters.

(reuters, punchng.com)