Residents of Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been thrown into fear following the abduction of more than 160 worshippers during coordinated attacks on several churches.
The incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when armed men stormed three churches during morning services, forcefully taking worshippers into the surrounding forest. Initial reports indicated that 177 people were kidnapped. However, 11 victims later escaped, leaving about 166 people—mostly women and children—still in captivity.
Early reactions from the Kaduna State Government, the state police command, and the chairman of Kajuru LGA initially dismissed reports of the abduction as untrue. This position was later reversed after confirmation by the Nigeria Police Force. The Force Public Relations Officer explained that earlier statements were made while authorities were still verifying details from the field.
Findings revealed that the attack has severely disrupted life in Kurmin Wali. Many residents have fled their homes, schools have shut down indefinitely, and farming activities have come to a halt. Community members say they were still recovering from a previous attack on January 11, during which several villagers were kidnapped and later released after a ransom of ₦23 million was paid.
Unlike the earlier incident, the abductors in the latest attack have not yet demanded a direct cash ransom. Instead, they reportedly insisted that the community replace 17 motorcycles allegedly lost during recent military operations in the area. Each motorcycle was valued at about ₦1.7 million, bringing the total demand to nearly ₦29 million before any ransom negotiations could begin.
The village head of Kurmin Wali confirmed that the kidnappers contacted a community negotiator, accusing residents of stealing and vandalising the motorcycles. He said the captors made it clear that the victims would not be released until the motorcycles were returned or replaced.
Eyewitnesses and church officials described the attacks as highly organised. The gunmen reportedly arrived around 9am, surrounded worship centres, and warned worshippers against attempting to flee. Victims were gathered from different churches and marched together into the forest.
Among those abducted was the village head himself, who later managed to escape along with ten others. However, members of his immediate family remain among those still held.
Military sources disclosed that the attack may be linked to ongoing security operations targeting bandit camps in neighbouring areas. According to the sources, armed groups fleeing sustained military pressure may have carried out the abduction in retaliation after losing equipment and mobility assets.
Troops have since intensified operations across forest corridors in Kauru and Kajuru LGAs, with security agencies placed on high alert. Military authorities confirmed that some terrorist camps had been destroyed and a few kidnapped victims rescued in separate operations, although access to certain remote locations remains challenging due to difficult terrain.
Community leaders and affected families have expressed frustration over what they described as delayed acknowledgment of the incident by authorities. Many have called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to act swiftly to ensure the safe release of the abducted worshippers and restore security to the area.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Governor visited the community, assuring residents that the government is working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the victims. He emphasised that the response would not be driven by numbers or politics but by the importance of human life.
Political leaders, civil society groups, and religious organisations have continued to condemn the abductions, urging sustained military action, improved intelligence gathering, and better protection for vulnerable rural communities.
As negotiations remain uncertain, families of the abducted worshippers continue to wait anxiously, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones.
