On Monday, a church official reported that a gunman had attacked a Baptist church in northwestern Nigeria on Sunday, abducting 25 worshippers.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks that have plagued Nigeria, and the new president, Bola Tinubu, who is set to take office later this month, will be faced with the challenge of addressing the issue of insecurity.

The attackers initially kidnapped 40 people but 15 were able to escape. The Rev. Joseph Hayab, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna state, confirmed that 25 worshippers are still being held by the attackers. Although a police spokesman in Kaduna confirmed the attack, he declined to provide further details. Kidnappings are common in northwest and central Nigeria, and hostages are often held in hidden camps in vast forests while waiting for ransom payment.

The conflict over water resources and grazing land between herding and farming communities has resulted in multiple violent attacks. Last year, a Catholic church in southwestern Ondo was attacked, resulting in the death of at least 40 people.