The Nigerian military said Sunday it rescued 31 worshippers abducted during Easter services in Ariko, Kaduna state.
At least five people were killed as troops engaged the attackers in a firefight, forcing the release of hostages.
Reports indicated gunmen raided both a Catholic and an evangelical church, killing eight and abducting several others.
Kaduna is a hotspot for bandit attacks, where criminal gangs increasingly link with militants from Nigeria’s northeast.
The military did not clarify whether it labelled the assailants as bandits or militants.
Despite heavy army deployments, violence continues, drawing international attention and accusations of a “genocide” of Christians by US President Donald Trump.
Earlier in January, bandits abducted over 170 worshippers from three churches, releasing most after three weeks of captivity.
The Easter attack highlights ongoing threats to religious communities and the challenges of securing rural northern Nigeria.