Kaduna Abduction: US Demands Nigeria Step Up Protection for Kidnapped Christians

By: Abudu Olalekan

Shocking Kaduna abduction of over 170 Christians during church hits hard. US slams Nigeria for weak protection, demands action amid denials and ransom talks. Fasting, outrage, and calls for regional security brew.

Imagine this. Sunday morning in Kaduna. Folks gathered in church, singing hymns. Peaceful. Then gunfire. Chaos. Over 170 worshippers – from three different denominations – snatched right from their pews in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru area. January 18. First time like this, ever. Heartbreaking.

Kaduna state government denied it at first. Police too, on Monday. “No such thing,” they said. But Wednesday? Flip. Confirmed. Kidnappers want 17 motorcycles back. Worth N28.9 million. Seized in military ops, apparently. Ransom or no deal.

Enter the US. Thursday, Abuja. High-level meeting. US Under Secretary Allison Hooker didn’t hold back. “Nigeria must do more,” she said. Protect Christians. Let ’em pray without fear. Recent attacks? Wake-up call. Deter violence. Probe killers. Cut abductions in North-Central states.

She nodded to wins. 38 Christians freed from Kwara church. 265 kids from St. Mary’s school. “Real progress.” But Kaduna? “Urgent action now.” Government has to guarantee safe faith practice. No excuses.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu fired back. Security’s serious. Ops ramping up. Military, cops hitting hard. “Plural society here. All faiths protected – non-negotiable.” Attacks? Assault on the state. President Tinubu greenlit more troops, intel sharing, deep probes.

Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association? Furious. Apostle Dr Emmanuel Nuhu Kure called it heart-rending. Alarming. Unacceptable. First mass grab during services. They declared two days fasting. Starts Friday. Ends Sunday with prayers everywhere. “United cry to God,” he said. Mercy. Safe returns. Denominations together. Rare unity.

House Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen jumped in. “Rescue them!” Tell security agencies. Condemned church hits. Schools too – soft targets. Bemoans mass kidnaps. Trusts Tinubu to flip it. Praises Kaduna Gov Uba Sani. Peace since May 2023. Collective effort needed. Safe Nigeria for all.

But wait. African Democratic Congress smells cover-up. Accuses state gov, police. Denied verified abductions. “APC hides truth to look good.” Not error. Obsession. Lies in crisis? Risks lives. Blocked journalists, activists. What hiding? Feds silent too. No empathy.

Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum piles on. Suspend deniers. Probe ’em. Obstructing justice. Middle Belt govs? Form joint security outfit. Like Southwest’s. Share intel. Quick responses. IGP Kayode Egbetokun confirmed it – no excuses now. Sanction liars.

They slammed Kaduna’s soft touch on terrorists. Free meds, schools, skills? While victims suffer trauma, displacement, poverty. Insensitive. Reckless.

Southern Kaduna People’s Union echoed. Feds, state – intensify rescues. Spoke at NUJ press center. Praised Sani’s visit to Kurmin Wali. Commiserating.

Nigeria’s under fire. Religious violence simmers. Christians targeted. North-Central bleeding. US watches close. Partners push. But on ground? Guns blaze. Families pray. Kids wait.

Reportersroom digs deeper. Kidnappers’ demands hold. Ops ongoing. Blackouts in villages. Fear grips. Fasting tomorrow. Prayers Sunday. Will it move mountains?

Gov Sani leads. Relative calm before. Now this. Trust eroding. ADC warns: Truth first, or worse. SMBLF demands regional fix. Speaker rallies. US prods.

Victims’ faces haunt. Worshippers mid-song. Gone. Ransom bikes? Odd. Military raids sparked it? Cycle spins.

Tinubu era promises security reset. Expansions. But Kaduna abduction tests it. 170 souls in bush. Ticking clock.

Folks whisper. Denials cost time. Lives? Priceless. Church bells toll different now. Unity in pain. Nigeria, heal thyself. Protect the flock.