Islamists attack church in Nigeria, abduct priest and parishioners

A worshipper holding a prayer book and a leaflet in a Nigerian church. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

On December 1, 2025, Islamist gunmen attacked a church in Nigeria’s Kogi State, opened fire, and abducted the priest, his wife, and several parishioners. The incident was reported by the BBC.

According to the BBC, authorities believe the assault was carried out by jihadist groups operating in the country’s north and center, which frequently use abductions as a tool of coercion.

The attackers burst into the newly opened Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, forcing people to flee for their lives. The assailants seized the pastor, his spouse, and the worshippers who remained inside.

Another kidnapping occurred the day before in Sokoto State: among those taken were a young woman, her friends, and another woman with an infant. Local media reported that the bride-to-be had been preparing for her wedding scheduled for the next morning.

The BBC notes that the string of abductions is part of a new wave of violence sweeping through Nigeria’s northern and central regions, where schools, churches, and rural communities are increasingly targeted.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Sudan, Islamists desecrated an Orthodox and a Presbyterian church.

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