A Christian family has fled Nigeria following months of threats, physical attacks, and the kidnapping of a church leader, raising renewed concerns about religious violence and the safety of Christian communities in the country.
As of the time of publication, the whereabouts of the family and the kidnapped pastor remain unknown.
The family, led by Ayoola-Bello Tolulope Funmilola and her husband, were residents of Abuja. Mr. Ayoola-Bello is described by church members as one of the senior leaders of their Christian congregation.
According to accounts from the family and church sources, they had been receiving threats from extremist groups for a prolonged period, with the situation worsening significantly in 2024 and 2025.
Sources said that from the beginning of 2025, armed men repeatedly came to the church, allegedly carrying machetes and issuing threats, demanding that members abandon their Christian faith.
The intimidation reportedly escalated in April 2025, when a group of about ten unidentified men confronted Mrs. Ayoola-Bello at the church. She was pushed during the incident while pregnant and later suffered a miscarriage. She was reportedly hospitalised for two days following the attack.
Further violence occurred in August 2025, when approximately twelve men allegedly invaded the family’s home in Abuja. During the attack, both Mr. and Mrs. Ayoola-Bello were beaten with bare hands. Neighbours reported that the attackers also threw stones at the house and continued to harass Mrs. Ayoola-Bello while she was driving in the area.
The situation reached a critical point in November 2025, when Mr. Ayoola-Bello was reportedly kidnapped by the same extremist group. Since then, his family has not heard from him, and his current location remains unknown.
Mrs. Ayoola-Bello is said to have reported the incidents to the police on three separate occasions. However, according to sources close to the family, no arrests were made and no effective protection was provided.
The family believes the lack of response left them exposed and vulnerable.
Following the kidnapping, Mrs. Ayoola-Bello and her minor children were said to be moving between undisclosed locations out of fear for their lives.
Shortly afterward, contact her was reportedly lost, and her current location remains unknown.
Religious leaders and human rights advocates have expressed concern over what they describe as a pattern of escalating threats, assaults, and kidnappings targeting Christian leaders and their families.
They have called on Nigerian authorities to strengthen protections and ensure accountability for attacks linked to religious extremism.