In Nigeria, Islamists attacked a temple and kidnapped a priest and his parishioners

On December 1, 2025, an armed attack on a Christian church in Nigeria’s Kogi State resulted in the abduction of a priest, his wife and several worshippers. Authorities blame the attack on Islamist groups active in the region.

According to the BBC, the militants stormed the newly opened Church of Cherubim and Seraphim and opened indiscriminate gunfire, causing panic among worshippers. Taking advantage of the commotion, the perpetrators grabbed the pastor, his wife and parishioners inside.

The attack is part of a new wave of violence sweeping northern and central Nigeria. Jihadist groups are increasingly targeting schools, temples and rural communities, using kidnapping as a key tool for pressure and ransom.

The incident in Kogi State comes on the heels of another kidnapping the previous day in Sokoto State. There, a young woman preparing for her wedding, her friends and another woman with an infant were held captive. These events confirm the systemic nature of the threats to civilians in the country.

Recall that according to the latest World Watch List 2025 report published by Open Doors US, more than 380 million Christians worldwide face persecution because of their faith. That’s one in seven believers in the world. Despite the growing pressure, Christian communities continue to exist and even grow in countries with the highest levels of persecution.