The Nigerian armed forces announced Sunday that they had freed 31 hostages following an attack on a church that occurred Sunday. Five bodies were also found at the scene of the attack.
31 people were taken hostage in Kaduna state, Nigeria, on Sunday.
The attack, perpetrated by assailants whose identity and motivation remain unknown for now, targeted a church in the village of Ariko, where an Easter mass was being celebrated.
Some local media outlets have reported attacks on two different churches, one Catholic and the other Evangelical.
On the same day, the Nigerian armed forces announced that they had freed the hostages after "exchanging fire" with the attackers.
According to the army, five dead people were also found at the scene of the attack.
Northwest Nigeria is frequently hit by deadly attacks, stemming from local conflicts, but also from jihadist groups.
