At least 20 people have been kidnapped in separate attacks on two churches in Nigeria.
A bride and her bridesmaids preparing for a wedding ceremony were among those abducted in the northern state of Sokoto on Saturday night, according to local media. A baby, the baby's mother and another woman were also taken.
Gunmen stormed the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in the central state of Kogi on Sunday, opening fire on the congregation. The pastor, his wife and multiple worshipers were kidnapped.
A Kogi state spokesperson confirmed the attack but was unable to confirm the number of people taken, the BBC have reported.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Christians in Nigeria have been targeted by Boko Haram jihadists and Fulani herdsmen extremists.
The spate of attacks have included the abduction of students and teachers from St Mary's Catholic School in Niger state on 21st November, thought one of the worst kidnappings the country has ever seen with 250 still missing.
This comes as an Anglican priest was killed in captivity after being taken with his wife and daughter in October.
The country's president Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency last week, ordering the recruitment of thousands of extra police to resolve the crisis.
US President Donald Trump has said there is a "Christian genocide" happening in Nigeria. The country is the seventh most dangerous places to follow Jesus, according to the Open Doors World Watch List. It was listed in the "persecution" category of the Aid to the Church in Need 2025 Religious Freedom in the World report.
