Kaduna, Feb 8 (V7N) — At least 51 people have been abducted and three others killed in a series of attacks over the past three days in four villages in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna State, security sources said on Saturday.

The incidents occurred mainly in the southern part of Kaduna, an area that has experienced recurring security challenges in recent months. On Saturday, armed assailants reportedly abducted 11 people, including a priest, from Kajuru Local Government Area, according to local security officials.

In a separate attack the same day in a nearby location, three people were killed and 38 others abducted. Among those taken were a local imam and four members of his congregation, sources said.

Earlier, on Friday, two people were kidnapped along the road to Maro, also within Kajuru. On Thursday, attackers reportedly vandalised houses in Maro village, though authorities have yet to confirm the number of victims from that incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Kaduna State has been affected by repeated incidents of kidnapping and violence, prompting heightened concern over security conditions. A wave of mass abductions in late 2025 drew national and international attention to the situation.

In response, the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency and announced measures including increased recruitment of military and police personnel to strengthen security operations.

Analysts note that such violence has affected communities across religious and ethnic lines. Security experts describe kidnapping in Nigeria as an increasingly organised criminal activity, with a report by Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence estimating that it generated around $1.7 million in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to restore security and bring those responsible to justice.

END/WD/RH