Holiday Ayo - Nigeria continues to be hit by a wave of kidnappings after the government declared a state of emergency last Wednesday.

This time, armed groups kidnapped 26 people in Nigeria, including a pastor and a bride, in two separate attacks. This is the latest in a series of kidnappings in the country in recent times.

According to the Nigerian Information Authority, the first incident occurred in central Kogi State. Armed groups kidnapped a pastor and 11 of his congregants while they were worshipping at a church in the remote Ejiba area on Sunday (November 30th).

The second incident occurred in Sokoto State, specifically in Chacho Village.

According to eyewitnesses, 14 people were kidnapped between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The fourteen victims included a bride and 10 bridesmaids.

Kidnappings in Nigeria are usually carried out for ransom. Now, kidnappings are occurring almost throughout the country.

According to security forces, the perpetrators of the kidnappings are extremist groups and local criminals, whom the police refer to as bandits.

This latest series of kidnappings comes less than a week after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency.

Kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly targeting Christians, have drawn particular attention from US President Donald Trump.

He has threatened to launch a ground operation in Nigeria if the kidnappings of Christians continue.

Meanwhile, regarding the kidnappings in Kogi, local Information Commissioner Kingsley Femi Fanwo issued a special appeal, especially to residents living in remote areas.

"I urge places of worship in remote areas to reconsider holding services in crime-prone areas until the situation improves," he said.

"Police helicopters have arrived for ground and air operations to rescue the kidnapped worshippers," Fanwo told AFP.