Over 25 abducted from church in northwestern Nigeria

Gunmen have attacked a church in north-west Nigeria’s Kaduna state, kidnapping at least 25 members of the congregation, local media reported.

According to an official from the Christian Association of Nigeria, the gunmen burst into the Bege Baptist Church in Chikun initially abducting 40 people but 15 managed to escape.

A police spokesman confirmed there had been an attack but gave no details.

Over the last two years, there have been frequent mass kidnappings by criminal gangs that are not thought to be linked to the Islamist militants, active in parts of northern Nigeria.

Kidnappers often demand ransom before releasing the hostages.