Seven out of 14 kidnapped victims in Kaduna have been rescued, the Nigeria Police said on Monday.
The police said the rescue operations were carried out by operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement posted on X, saying that gunmen on Sunday had stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and a Catholic church in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to him, 14 people were kidnapped, adding that, unfortunately, five people were killed by the non-state actors.
“On 5 April 2026, armed bandits attacked ECWA and Catholic Churches in the community, firing indiscriminately. Five people were killed, and approximately fourteen others were abducted,” he said.
Worried by the situation, Placid said the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Shehu Nadada, to Kaduna State.
Nadada’s deployment was in response to the recent attack in Ariko Village, Placid said.
The DIG is expected to work closely with other sister agencies to ensure that the seven other victims still in captivity regain their freedom.
“The DIG Operations was deployed to assess the situation on site and coordinate security efforts to restore order and secure the release of the abducted victims.
“During the operation, the team led by DIG Nadada, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS), rescued seven kidnapped victims. They were taken to Katari Hospital for medical care and are in stable condition, awaiting reunion with their families,” the Force spokesman added.
He reaffirmed the IGP’s commitment to securing the release of the remaining victims as well as the arrest of the gunmen.
Placid called on the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and provide credible information to support ongoing efforts.