Gunmen have abducted at least 20 people, including a pastor and a new bride, in two separate attacks in the latest Nigerian kidnappings.
Attackers stormed the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church on Sunday in the central Kogi state, firing shots and forcing congregants to flee in panic. They seized the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers.
In another raid the night before in the northern Sokoto state, a bride and her bridesmaids were among those kidnapped. A baby, the baby's mother, and another woman were also taken, according to AFP.
Schools and places of worship have increasingly been targeted in the latest attacks across northern and central Nigeria.
It remains unclear who is behind the kidnappings. Most analysts believe they are carried out by criminal gangs seeking ransom payments, although a presidential spokesman suggested that jihadist groups may be involved.
Kogi's state government confirmed the attack in Ejiba but was unable to provide exact numbers of missing individuals, and efforts are underway to track down the attackers.
Following a recent surge in abductions, concerns about the safety of rural communities have mounted, prompting calls for stronger protective measures for schools, churches, and isolated areas.
Despite ransoms being officially outlawed in Nigeria, there is a prevailing belief that payments continue to be made, fueling the ongoing crisis.
The situation has attracted international attention, particularly from the US, amid broader discussions about the nature of violence affecting various religious groups across the country.
