Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 31 worshippers abducted by terrorists during an Easter service in Ariko Village, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a swift counter-operation.
The intervention came after security operatives received a distress call that gunmen had stormed an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) church in the community and taken congregants hostage in the midst of worship.
In a statement released on Sunday via its official X handle, the Army said troops responded immediately, mobilising to the scene and pursuing the attackers with support from local residents familiar with the terrain.
According to the statement, the troops confronted the fleeing assailants in a gun battle, overpowering them and forcing a retreat.
“The swift response led to the rescue of 31 civilians abducted during the Easter service. Under sustained pressure from advancing troops, the terrorists abandoned the victims, including one injured individual currently receiving medical care,” the Army disclosed.
However, the operation also uncovered a grim toll, as soldiers recovered the bodies of five victims killed by the attackers before their escape.
The Army added that blood trails along the escape routes suggested the fleeing terrorists suffered casualties during the encounter.
It further disclosed that pursuit operations had been intensified, with troops tracking the assailants to their hideouts in a bid to rescue any remaining captives and bring those responsible to justice.
To forestall further attacks, additional personnel have been deployed to the area to strengthen security and stabilise the community.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining national security, the Nigerian Army urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical in the fight against terrorism.