Terrorists kill 33, torch churches after Nigeria Baptist school kidnappings

In six days of attacks after the kidnapping of more than 125 Baptist school students in Kaduna, Nigeria, terrorists have killed at least 33 area civilians and burned four churches and hundreds of nearby homes, witnesses told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Militant Fulani herdsmen are suspected in the July 5 kidnapping of 153 students from the Bethel Baptist Church school in Kaduna state, with 125 students still missing and considered in grave danger.

Parents of the missing students have vowed to protest until their children are returned. Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered military, police and intelligence agencies to work intensely and quickly for the students’ release, his media representative Garba Shehu said shortly after the kidnapping, but has not released any public statements of progress in securing the students’ release.

A surge in school kidnappings has prompted the government to order the temporary closure of schools in rural areas, judging them to be more vulnerable to attack.