Nigeria Police Arrest 33 Over Church Kidnapping, Wider Banditry Crackdown

Mintesinot Nigussie

Nigerian police have detained 33 suspected members of an armed gang accused of carrying out the November abduction of 38 worshippers from a church in central Nigeria’s Kwara State. The suspects are linked to the November 18 raid on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku town.

Police said the group was also responsible for a wider pattern of violence, including kidnappings, cattle rustling and armed robberies across parts of Kwara and neighbouring Kogi State. The arrests followed coordinated operations across both states, driven by human and technical intelligence.

The latest detentions bring to 50 the number of suspects arrested since January in a broader nationwide security operation. The church attack intensified public pressure on security authorities in a country where mass kidnappings and armed banditry have become persistent threats.

Authorities said the latest raids form part of an ongoing effort to dismantle such groups, with investigations continuing to track remaining suspects and recover weapons believed to be in circulation.

Placid said several suspects would be charged in the coming days, while security forces continue operations aimed at apprehending fleeing gang members.

Overall, the arrest of 33 suspects linked to the church kidnapping underscores Nigeria’s intensified efforts to combat armed banditry and restore security in affected regions.