Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Authorities in Nigeria have confirmed reports that more than 170 Christian worshippers were abducted during coordinated attacks on three churches.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re not familiar with the situation, Nigeria has a massive problem when it comes to kidnappings by armed criminal groups known locally as “bandits.” Operating primarily in the country’s northwest and central regions, these heavily armed gangs routinely raid villages, ambush travelers, and abduct entire groups of civilians, including schoolchildren, for ransom. Victims are often held in shitty conditions for weeks or months while negotiators, often family members or community leaders, scramble to raise money demanded for their release. These ransoms can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. This security crisis has drawn notable criticism from President Trump, who has accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect its Christian population and even threatened unilateral US military intervention if such attacks continued.

What’s going on now: Nigerian officials have begun a nationwide search-and-rescue effort after finally acknowledging that a mass kidnapping did take place during Sunday services in the remote village of Kurmin Wali, Kaduna state. This comes after intense public and media pressure forced the government to walk back earlier claims that no such abduction had occurred. Witnesses say armed men stormed three churches, blocked villagers from fleeing, and took as many as 177 worshippers into the surrounding bush at gunpoint. Residents say the attack happened around 10:00 AM, catching everyone completely off guard.

In the immediate aftermath, Kaduna state police officials denied that any kidnapping took place, calling it “falsehood peddled by conflict entrepreneurs,” while local government leaders insisted there was no evidence of an attack. That position was reversed days later when Nigeria’s national police spokesperson confirmed that “subsequent checks by operational units and intelligence sources” verified the abductions.

As of now, community leaders say roughly 11 people have escaped, leaving more than 160 still missing. Security forces have since been deployed to the region, but progress is slow due to the area’s rough terrain and lack of proper infrastructure.

More to come