U.S. lawmakers have sharply condemned the mass abduction of worshippers from churches in Kaduna State and warned Washington “will not tolerate the massacre of innocent Christians,” after armed men kidnapped more than 160 people during Sunday services.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a post on its verified X account that “Islamic terrorists in Nigeria raided churches and kidnapped more than 168 Christians,” and quoted former President Donald Trump as saying the United States cannot stand by while such atrocities occur.
Authorities initially denied the incident, but Kaduna state officials later confirmed coordinated attacks in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, where congregants were seized during services at three churches.
Local lawmakers told reporters about 177 people were missing at one point and 168 remained unaccounted for after some returned.
U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, speaking at a U.S.–Nigeria working group meeting in Abuja, urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen protections for Christian communities and to guarantee freedom of worship.
The committee and U.S. officials called for prompt action to locate the abducted and hold perpetrators to account.
Sources said kidnappers demanded the return of 17 motorcycles seized in recent military operations as a condition for release.
Rights groups and opposition figures criticised initial denials and called for transparent investigations.
Nigeria’s security forces continue to face mounting pressure from the citizens to secure remote communities and prevent further attacks.
