The Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State is gripped by fear and uncertainty following the mass abduction of 177 Christian worshippers by bandits. The incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, during coordinated attacks on multiple churches during morning worship services. While 11 captives managed to escape, 166 people, including women and children, remain in captivity. The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, initially raised the alarm and later confirmed that his two wives and two children are among those still held, despite his own escape.

Survivors recounted that armed men, wielding AK-47 rifles, invaded several churches simultaneously, including the Cherubim and Seraphim Church and the Evangelical Church Winning All. Worshippers were threatened against fleeing and forced to march from one church to another, gathering scores of people before being led into the forest. Yunana Dauji, Secretary of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, stated that gunmen surrounded two branches of their church, collecting over 50 people. Similarly, Joseph Bawa, Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All, described how gunmen stormed their church, seizing worshippers and marching them into the forest.

Adding an unusual twist to the crisis, the bandits have demanded the payment of ₦28.9 million for 17 motorcycles they claim were lost during recent military operations. According to community leaders and family members, the armed group insists that each missing motorcycle is worth ₦1.7 million, and this total amount must be paid as a precondition before any ransom negotiations can begin for the release of the abducted worshippers. They also accused villagers of tampering with some motorcycles by removing parts. This demand differs from an earlier abduction on January 11, 2026, in the same area, where a ransom of ₦23 million was paid directly for the release of several residents, as recounted by villager Linus Abu.

The village head, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed that the abductors contacted a negotiator, insisting on the return or replacement of the motorcycles before releasing the captives. Residents later received information early Thursday that the abductors and their captives were sighted moving through bush paths between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, though their ultimate destination remains unknown. The bandits also called the community, threatening them and accusing them of bringing soldiers, a claim the traditional ruler denied.

The incident sparked outrage, particularly after the Kaduna State Government, the Kaduna State Police Command, and the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area initially denied the abduction report. This denial was vehemently contradicted by Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and further intensified the trauma of residents who felt abandoned. The community has been paralyzed by fear, with many residents fleeing to neighboring villages, and schools and farms abandoned. Shops remain locked and streets deserted, reflecting the pervasive anxiety.

Amid mounting criticism, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, visited Kurmin Wali on Wednesday under tight security. He commiserated with residents, assured them of the state government’s commitment to securing the release of the worshippers, and pledged support for those injured. Governor Sani explained that security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services, police, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, were working closely to ensure a swift recovery. Kajuru, a hotbed of banditry in Southern Kaduna, is characterized by dense forests and rugged terrain, which armed groups frequently use as hideouts. Despite ongoing military operations, attacks persist, further highlighting the precarious security situation for rural settlements in the region. The fate of the abducted worshippers remains uncertain, with families expressing frustration over perceived government inaction and insufficient security intervention.