Almost two dozen Christians were kidnapped from a Nigerian church during their choir practice.

A pastor, his daughter, and around nine other women from the church were kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday, May 18, Open Doors USA reported.

Police confirmed that around midnight, 20 unidentified gunmen entered Unguwar Kuli village, a border community in Nigeria.

The report of the incident says that the gunmen began to sporadically shoot and also came in contact with members of the church.

A witness from Dankade village told local reporters that the attackers surrounded the church where choir rehearsal was taking place and opened fire.

“We had a combined choir practice in the church with other neighbouring communities. Everybody was terrified but there was no how we could run because they had already surrounded the church," explained the witness to the attack.

A ransom is being requested by the kidnappers of around $83,100, says the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Nigeria is currently listed as the 12th worst country for Christian persecution worldwide, with very high persecution according to the Open Doors USA World Watch List. Significant unrest and uncertainty, as well as a number of significant events of persecution, have recently impacted Christ-followers in the country.