Nigerian Army Rescues 31 Hostages After Easter Church Attack

The Nigerian army rescued 31 civilians taken hostage during an Easter church attack in Kaduna state.

“- Published Thirty-one civilians held hostage following a Sunday morning church attack in north-west Nigeria have been rescued, the army has said”

BBC

At least five people were killed, though local officials reported the toll could be as high as seven.

BBC

The attack occurred despite a police directive for massive security deployment at places of worship during Easter.

Kaduna has been terrorized by armed gangs known locally as bandits.

A discrepancy emerged between the army's death toll of five and seven reported by the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Reuters reported the chairman said two churches were attacked while the military stated a single church was targeted.

Copts United

France 24 described the incident as an assault on a Catholic and an evangelical church.

The attack came weeks after Trump characterized the violence as a genocide of Christians.

“Nigeria's army said Sunday it had rescued 31 worshippers taken hostage during an attack on a church in northwestern Kaduna state”

DW

The Nigerian military is under growing international scrutiny.

Military operations remain ongoing as troops hunt the fleeing attackers.