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Silhouettes of people against background of green fields and mountains.

Criminal kidnappers have committed crimes and atrocities against the people of Nigeria for more than a decade, the executive committee notes. Here pictured, a group of Nigerians who have fled the country to seek refuge at Minawao in neighbouring Cameroon, in 2019.

 

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"It is estimated that in the first three months of this year alone, more than 3,500 people have been killed and many more kidnapped by armed groups in Nigeria,” the statement reads. In a particularly serious attack on a passenger train travelling between Abuja and Kaduna in March, at least nine people were killed, and more than 60 are believed to be still held by the gunmen.”

The statement names clergy who have been victims of kidnappings. The WCC has received reports of many other clergy and Christians who have been kidnapped and still remain in captivity, with little or no effort by the government to rescue the victims,” reads the statement.

The global ecumenical fellowship of churches is deeply concerned by the effects of the activities of criminal kidnappers who have continued to commit crimes and atrocities against the people of Nigeria for more than a decade, with the clergy and the churches among the major victims.”

Statement on kidnappings in Nigeria

As WCC executive committee convenes, the global fellowship provides space “for listening and caring for one another” (31 May 2022)