Kaduna state police said the attackers, armed with what authorities described as "sophisticated weapons,” struck two churches in the village of Kurmin Wali, Afogo ward, at about 11:25 a.m. local time. Security forces, including troops and other agencies, have been deployed to the area, and search operations are ongoing to locate the abducted worshippers and pursue the perpetrators.

Officials cautioned that the number of people taken remains unclear. Police described early figures as preliminary, noting that investigations are still in the early stages. However, Reverend John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the country’s north, told Reuters that information he received from church elders indicated that 172 worshippers were abducted and nine escaped.

Differences between official counts and community reports are common in Nigeria following mass abductions, with numbers often revised as more information becomes available and families report missing relatives.

The BBC reported that Sunday’s incident affected both Christian and Muslim worshippers, underscoring the wider security challenges facing communities in parts of northern Nigeria, where attacks have increasingly disrupted daily life, religious gatherings and economic activity.

Kidnappings for ransom have surged across several regions of Nigeria in recent years, with armed groups frequently targeting schools, villages and places of worship. Analysts say the attacks are driven by a mix of motives, including criminal profit, local disputes and extremist violence, and are exacerbated by poverty and weak security presence in rural areas.

International advocacy group Open Doors, in its 2025 World Watch List, said Nigeria recorded the highest number of killings of Christians globally, while also noting that Muslims and other communities are regularly affected by violence.

Kaduna State has experienced repeated mass abductions. In November, gunmen kidnapped 52 Catholic students and several staff members from St. Mary’s School, according to the Associated Press. In April, church officials in the state reported paying a ransom to secure the release of dozens of kidnapped members, highlighting the financial and emotional toll such incidents place on families and communities.

Residents in Kurmin Wali said the latest attack has heightened fear in the area, with some families considering leaving their homes if security does not improve. Authorities have called for calm and urged the public to provide information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.