Kaduna, Nigeria – In a brutal and unprovoked attack, at least three Christian worshipers were killed, and 31 others, including a pastor, were kidnapped by bandits in Bakinpah-Maro, a community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attack, which occurred during Sunday church services, targeted the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Catholic churches in the area.
Eyewitnesses report that the assailants, who stormed the community around 10 a.m., fired sporadically as they invaded the churches. Among those kidnapped was Bernard Gajera, a pastor at one of the churches, according to Cafra Caino, a former chairman of Kajuru LGA, who confirmed the incident to journalists.
The attackers reportedly arrived in large numbers, creating widespread panic as they shot at worshipers and abducted others. Despite attempts, efforts to reach ASP Munir Hassan, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, for further details were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The community has been left reeling from the violence, with local authorities and security personnel working to address the situation and secure the release of the kidnapped victims.