Nigerian soldiers rescued 31 civilians on Sunday following an armed assault on a church in Ariko, Kaduna state. The rescue occurred after a fierce firefight between military forces and gunmen who had interrupted Easter celebrations.
Army officials reported that five civilians were killed during the initial attack. While a local church official previously estimated the death toll at seven, the military confirmed the recovery of the bodies alongside the successful liberation of the hostages.
Military offensive follows surge in violence
According to an army statement, the attackers fled the scene under fire. Soldiers noted "significant casualties" among the militants, citing blood trails discovered along escape routes. Despite the military's assertion of a swift response, some local residents reported that the gunmen operated in the area for an extended period without facing immediate resistance.
Troops have since been deployed to reinforce security in the region and continue the pursuit of the insurgents. The military has issued a public appeal for residents to provide intelligence to assist in ongoing operations against armed groups fueling insecurity in northern Nigeria.
The incident follows a separate military offensive in neighboring Zamfara state, where the army reported killing 65 bandits. That operation came in response to a series of mass abductions carried out by armed gangs earlier in the week.
Kidnappings for ransom remain a persistent threat across northern Nigeria. These attacks are frequently attributed to a mix of jihadist groups and criminal gangs, locally referred to as bandits.
In February, the United States deployed troops to Nigeria to provide intelligence support and training for local forces. The move follows long-standing international scrutiny regarding the security of religious communities in the region, an issue that has previously generated tension between the Nigerian government and foreign observers.
