WCC NEWS: WCC condemns kidnappings in Nigeria, urges adequate security for all

In a statement during its executive committee meeting, the World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed relief at hearing the news of the safe release of kidnapped religious leaders in Nigeria—but also expressed alarm over an escalating crisis of criminal kidnappings across the nation. 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. Photo: Albin Hillert/LWF 02 June 2022 "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 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland