Nigeria is grappling with a surge in kidnappings, with the latest incidents involving a clergyman and a bride among others. In Kogi state, gunmen attacked a church during a Sunday morning service, abducting the pastor and several worshippers. The incident occurred at the “Cherubim and Seraphim” church in the village of Ejiba, where twelve people were taken.

According to authorities, the attack is part of a larger trend of kidnappings across the country. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, spokesperson for Kogi state, criticized some pastors for continuing to hold services in remote areas despite known risks. He noted that clergy sometimes underestimate the danger posed by armed groups. The suspected perpetrators have not been identified.

In a separate incident, a bride and 10 of her bridesmaids were abducted from a village in Sokoto State. This attack is one of several recent kidnappings, with over 400 people taken in the past two weeks, including many children and teenagers. On November 21, gunmen raided a boarding facility in Niger state, seizing over 300 people, mostly children, who remain missing.

The motivations behind the kidnappings are unclear, with some attributing them to financial motives linked to ransom demands. The inclusion of clergy among those targeted suggests that churches may be seen as more willing or able to pay ransoms. Authorities warn that the pattern of attacks highlights a growing criminal economy around abduction-for-profit schemes.

The recent surge in kidnappings has raised concerns about the security situation in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Between 2013 and 2015, the Islamist group Boko Haram carried out mass abductions involving several thousand victims. While the group’s involvement in recent kidnappings is unclear, experts say that many are driven by financial motives.

The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its response to the kidnappings, with some calling for greater action to address the root causes of the problem. The authorities have confirmed the incidents and are investigating, but no arrests have been made. As the situation continues to unfold, concerns about the safety and security of citizens remain high. The government’s ability to respond effectively to the crisis will be closely watched in the coming days.