Over 100 Mass Abduction In Kaduna: Here Is What We Know

Reports of a mass abduction involving over 150 worshippers from churches in the Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area have sparked controversy and conflicting accounts.

The alleged incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, during church services, with claims of armed gunmen storming multiple places of worship and herding congregants into nearby forests.

While some local leaders and religious figures insist the kidnapping took place, official authorities have vehemently denied the reports, labeling them as fabrications aimed at inciting unrest. Here’s a breakdown of what is known so far.

Mass abduction of worshippers in Kaduna churches

According to multiple accounts from religious and community leaders, armed bandits attacked at least two or three churches in Kurmin Wali during Sunday services.

The targeted churches include the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), one or two belonging to the Cherubim and Seraphim denomination, and possibly a Catholic church.

Reverend John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, confirmed that 172 worshippers were initially abducted, with nine managing to escape shortly after, leaving 163 in captivity.

A local community leader, Ishaku Dan’azumi Sarkin, said that 177 people were taken from three churches, with 11 escaping and no deaths reported.

Usman Danlami Stingo, a state lawmaker representing the Kajuru area, corroborated the reports, stating that 177 were missing initially, with 11 returning, resulting in 166 still unaccounted for.

Witnesses described the assailants as heavily armed, blocking church entrances and forcing congregants including men, women, children, and youths, into the surrounding bush.

The area, a predominantly Christian forest community, is remote with poor road access, which may have facilitated the attack. Sources suggest the victims may have been taken to bandit camps in nearby forests, such as Rijana, known for holding captives while demanding ransoms.

This incident, if confirmed, would represent one of the largest mass kidnappings from places of worship in recent years, exacerbating fears among rural populations.

Kaduna officials and police debunk church kidnapping reports

In stark contrast, Kaduna State authorities have dismissed the abduction claims as baseless. Police Commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu described the reports as “mere falsehood” propagated by “conflict entrepreneurs” intent on causing chaos.

He challenged anyone with information to provide names and details of the alleged victims, emphasizing that no such list has been forthcoming.

Kajuru Local Government Chairman Dauda Madaki echoed this, stating that security forces were dispatched to the area after hearing rumors but found no evidence of an attack upon investigation.

Madaki reported visiting the churches and speaking with local figures, including the village head and youth leader, who denied any incident occurred.

The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shauibu, added that religious leaders, including from CAN, visited the site and confirmed the reports were false.

Police have warned against spreading rumors, threatening legal action against those disseminating unverified information. Efforts to reach police spokesperson Mansir Hassan for further comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was unreachable.

Political reactions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition, has seized on the reports to criticize the federal government under President Bola Tinubu, calling the alleged abductions a “sad reminder of the normalization of insecurity.”

The party urged immediate rescue operations and highlighted the need for state policing to combat such impunity, arguing that the administration prioritizes image management over citizen safety.

This political angle underscores deeper frustrations with Nigeria’s security apparatus, plagued by corruption, poor intelligence, and underfunding.

Experts note that Kajuru district is a known hotspot for bandit attacks, often linked to clashes between Christian farmers and Fulani Muslim herders, though both Christians and Muslims have been victims of kidnappings nationwide.

The region faces multiple threats, including Islamist insurgencies, separatist violence, and resource conflicts. Church leaders have called for calm to avoid inflaming inter-religious tensions, while advocating for collaboration with authorities.

International attention, including past U.S. involvement like airstrikes against militants, highlights the global concern over Nigeria’s security crisis.

The story has unfolded amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, including rampant banditry and kidnappings in the northwest region.

Kaduna State, in particular, has been a hotspot for such attacks, often targeting rural communities, schools, and places of worship.

This latest alleged event has highlighted the tensions between community reports, religious organizations, and government officials, with accusations of misinformation flying from both sides.

Community leaders argue that the abductions are real and part of a pattern of violence, while authorities claim no evidence supports the claims, urging the public to provide verifiable details.

Political voices have also weighed in, criticizing the federal government’s handling of insecurity.

As investigations continue, the conflicting narratives have left families in anguish and communities on edge.

Attention now focuses on whether verifiable evidence emerges to resolve the discrepancies, and what steps the government will take to address the persistent vulnerability in rural Kaduna.