Nigerian Army Rescues 31 Hostages After Easter Church Attack

The Nigerian army has confirmed the rescue of thirty-one civilians who were held hostage following a brutal attack on an Easter Sunday service in Ariko, Kaduna state. Security forces stated that five people were killed during the assault, though a local church official had initially reported seven fatalities.

Military Response and Aftermath

According to military accounts, soldiers engaged the assailants in a "fierce firefight", compelling them to abandon the hostages and the deceased victims as they fled. Officials reported that the "fleeing terrorists" suffered significant casualties, evidenced by blood trails along their escape routes. Troops have since been deployed to pursue the insurgents and bolster regional security. The army has appealed to residents for information to assist ongoing operations against groups perpetrating insecurity.

Wider Security Challenges

Attacks and abductions for ransom are unfortunately prevalent across northern Nigeria, as the nation contends with persistent security threats from both jihadist factions and armed gangs, commonly referred to as bandits. While the army asserted a swift response to Sunday's attack, local media outlets have indicated that residents claimed the gunmen operated for an extended period without facing resistance.

In a separate development, Nigeria's military reportedly killed 65 bandits in Zamfara state following an offensive, days after a mass abduction in local villages. The police had previously confirmed the abductions and initiated a manhunt.