US Lawmakers Blast Kaduna Church Kidnappings, Warn of ‘Christian Genocide’ in Nigeria

The United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the recent mass abduction of Christian worshippers in Kaduna State, describing the incident as an act by “Islamic terrorists” and issuing a stern warning that America will not tolerate the “massacre of innocent Christians” in Nigeria.

The attack occurred on Sunday, January 19, 2026, when armed bandits stormed three churches in the Kurmin Wali community (also known as Kure) of Kajuru Local Government Area during morning services. The churches targeted include the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2, and reports also mention a Catholic church in the vicinity. Eyewitnesses described how gunmen arrived on motorcycles, wielding sophisticated weapons, and herded away scores of congregants, including women, children, and the elderly.

Initial reports placed the number of abductees at over 100, but the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna chapter, later released a detailed list confirming 177 victims. Nine individuals reportedly escaped, leaving at least 168 still in captivity. Other sources, including church leaders and police, have cited figures ranging from 163 to 172.

Controversy erupted when the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force initially denied the incident. Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, dismissed the reports as “false” and even threatened to track down those spreading the news on social media. However, in a dramatic U-turn on January 20, the police confirmed the abductions, attributing the delay to the remote, forested location and poor road access. Security personnel have since been mobilized for rescue operations, though no ransoms or demands have been publicly disclosed.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs expressed outrage: “This past Sunday, Islamic terrorists in Nigeria raided churches and kidnapped more than 168 Christians. President Trump made it clear: We cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria. The United States will not tolerate the massacre of innocent Christians.”

Other US lawmakers echoed the sentiment. Republican Representative Riley Moore described the attack as “horrific” and urged Nigerian authorities to better protect vulnerable worshippers. The condemnation comes amid growing international pressure on Nigeria, with calls for the country to be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom violations. A recent US congressional hearing highlighted ongoing persecution in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, including Benue, Plateau, and Kaduna states, where thousands of Christians have been killed or displaced in recent years.

Locally, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, Vice Chairman of CAN Northern Region, and Reuben Buhari of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, have decried the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of targeted attacks on Christians. Security analyst Abdullahi Awwal suggested the kidnappings could be politically motivated, dismissing claims of mere theft and pointing to Nigeria’s history of ransom-driven abductions.

The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users accusing authorities of complicity or incompetence. One X post lamented, “Immediately the Butcher of Kaduna left APC to another party, Terrorism and kidnapping in schools and churches got increase.” Another highlighted global indifference: “Mass kidnapping at Kaduna churches adds to pressure on Nigeria.”

This latest abduction underscores the escalating security challenges in northern Nigeria, where banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings for ransom have become rampant. The US statement has renewed calls for Abuja to prioritize the protection of religious minorities. A high-level security meeting in the capital on Thursday discussed strategies to address the crisis.