Twenty-seven Christians abducted from a church and the surrounding village in Kogi State, central Nigeria, are now free.
A final group of six were released on January 21, with the others released in stages from the beginning of January onwards.
The Christians were abducted by Fulani Islamists as part of a December 14 attack in the village of Aiyetoro-Kiri, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, that left one worshiper dead.
Six Christians were released on January 21, the final group from 27 taken in mid-December who have now been freed. [Image credit: Ayietoro-Kiri Bunu Development Association / Truth Nigeria]
Two others died while being detained by the terrorists. A third was released because of ill health, but later died in the hospital.
“We are grateful for the safe return of our remaining brothers and sisters,” said Pastor Samuel Olatunji Adebola, minister of the Aiyetoro-Kiri church.
Some of those released have described people being hauled onto motorcycles and driven away, or forced to walk barefoot into the Bunu-Kabba forest. Children as young as two were among those abducted.
Olusegun Durowaye, the village head of Aiyetoro-Kiri, said in the days following the attack that many residents had already moved away owing to persistent violence that increased in intensity from March 2025 onwards.
Durowaye described terrorists particularly targeting churches.
“If anybody is telling me that this is not genocide against Christians,” he added, “I don’t know where you are getting your story from.”
How You Can Pray
Thank the Lord for the release of these 27 brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that they will recover from physical and mental harm. Pray also for the bereaved families and friends of the four who lost their lives. Ask the Lord to protect His people from the Islamist terrorists who continue to target them.
