Nigeria: several dead in new attacks on two churches

Three people died and two others injured after an attack by gunmen on two churches in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, local media reported.

The state’s Commissioner of Internal Security Samuel Aruwan said an unknown number of criminals on motorcycles entered four villages in co-ordinated attacks robbing people and later targeted Maranatha Baptist and St. Moses Catholic churches.

“The bandits looted shops and stole some valuables from villages. Police officers are patrolling the area. Investigations are ongoing.” he said in a statement.

Mr Aruwan added that several people had also been kidnapped.

Nigeria is struggling to curb a deadly wave of kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs who frequently target unprotected rural communities, schools and motorists on highways.