In a brazen escalation of insecurity in northern Nigeria, armed bandits abducted scores of worshippers from multiple churches in Kaduna State earlier this month, demanding a hefty ransom that includes cash and vehicles for their release. The incident, which has drawn international concern and highlighted ongoing challenges with banditry, initially sparked conflicting reports from authorities before being confirmed by police.
The abductions occurred on January 17, 2026, during Sunday services in Kurmin Wali village, located in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to local accounts, bandits stormed three churches: the Cherubim and Seraphim Church branches 1 and 2, and the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). Eyewitnesses described the attackers as entering the premises, forcing congregants to lie down, and subjecting them to beatings “like animals” before marching them into the bush. One elderly escapee recounted how the bandits, identified by some as Fulani herdsmen, assaulted victims and abducted his five children, who remain in captivity.
Estimates of the number of victims vary across reports, with figures ranging from dozens to as high as 177. Village Head Ishaku Dan’azumi reported approximately 177 worshippers taken, including men, women, and children. Other sources cite around 150 or 163 abductees, reflecting possible discrepancies in early reporting or multiple related incidents. By January 24, at least 11 abductees had managed to escape, according to updates from the affected community. However, more than 100 individuals were still believed to be held captive nine days after the attack.
The bandits have since contacted the community with their demands: ₦250 million (approximately $150,000 at current exchange rates) and 20 motorcycles.Dan’azumi quoted the abductors as saying the ransom was non-negotiable until the community compensated them for 17 motorcycles allegedly stolen and parts removed during recent military operations in the area. “The bandits called and said Kurmin Wali community should pay them N250 million and 20 motorcycles before they will release the kidnapped worshippers,” the village head stated.Some reports suggest the demand for motorcycles stems from losses incurred by the bandits, with one account mentioning a preliminary payment of ₦28.9 million for “lost motorcycles” before further negotiations.
Security sources revealed that the bandits are using the captives as human shields to deter potential airstrikes on their camps, complicating rescue efforts.An anonymous security operative confirmed that the location of the abductees had been identified, and multi-agency teams were working around the clock to secure their safe release. Despite these assurances, no major breakthroughs have been publicly announced as of January 27.
The incident initially faced denial from Nigerian authorities. On January 19, the Kaduna State Police Command and the Commissioner for Internal Security dismissed reports of a mass kidnapping as “misleading and false,” emphasizing ongoing military operations to clear bandits from the area. However, police later reversed their stance, confirming that dozens of worshippers had indeed been abducted from the churches. This U-turn came amid pressure from local Christian leaders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which disagreed with the initial government narrative and insisted on the abduction of 163 church members. Critics, including media watchdogs, accused mainstream Nigerian outlets of amplifying the official denials, potentially downplaying the scale of the attack.
The abductions have reignited international scrutiny on Nigeria’s handling of religious persecution and insecurity in the north. The United States has renewed calls for stronger protections for Christian communities, with Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker stating that enhanced religious safeguards could yield political, economic, and health benefits for both nations. The U.S. expressed alarm over the mass church abduction, urging federal action to track bandits and prevent further attacks.
This event is part of a troubling pattern of banditry and kidnappings in Kaduna State, where armed groups often target rural communities, schools, and places of worship for ransom. Just a week after the church abductions, bandits struck again in the same area, kidnapping six residents from Unguwar Barkonu in Maraban Kajuru. Local allegations have also surfaced that the Kajuru Local Government Chairman instructed residents to cover up the initial incident, further fueling distrust in official responses.

As negotiations reportedly stall and families await news of their loved ones, community leaders like Dan’azumi have appealed for urgent intervention from state and federal authorities. The Kaduna State Police Command has not provided further comments, and efforts to reach DSP Mansir Hassan were unsuccessful.The situation remains tense, with fears of additional abductions in the volatile region.