In a significant development amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, all worshippers abducted during coordinated attacks on churches in Kaduna State last month have been freed, according to state officials and Christian leaders. The release marks a rare positive outcome in a region plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and religious tensions.
The ordeal began on January 18, 2026, when armed gunmen stormed three churches in the predominantly Christian village of Kurmin Wali, located in the Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State. The attackers targeted Sunday services, abducting scores of congregants, including women and children. Initial reports from local residents and advocacy groups estimated around 166 to 168 people were taken, but Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani later confirmed the total number of abductees as 183. The discrepancy in figures has been attributed to initial underreporting or the inclusion of additional villagers kidnapped during the raid.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the country’s umbrella body for Christian denominations, announced on February 5 that all the kidnapped churchgoers had been released. Reverend John Hayab, chairman of CAN’s northern chapter, credited the power of prayer and the efforts of security services for the successful operations, though he provided no specifics on how the releases were secured. “After all the drama and disagreements,” Hayab said, referring to early denials by police about the scale of the kidnapping, “we can confirm that every abducted worshipper has now returned.”
Governor Sani received the freed individuals at the Government House in Kaduna on Thursday, where they arrived on buses escorted by security forces. Dressed in yellow attire, a color often symbolizing hope and resurrection in Christian contexts, the group included children and elderly members who appeared relieved but exhausted from their captivity. The governor revealed that 83 of the abductees had returned about three days earlier, while the remaining 89 were rescued on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Additionally, around 80 people had managed to escape on the day of the abduction but hid in neighboring villages for two weeks out of fear of recapture, according to state police spokesman Mansur Hassan.
Details on the release process remain scarce. Neither CAN nor state officials have confirmed whether a ransom was paid, a common practice in Nigeria’s kidnapping for ransom epidemic, despite government denials. Security analysts suggest that negotiations with the bandits, possibly facilitated by local intermediaries or military pressure, played a role. Governor Sani emphasized the need for enhanced security measures, announcing that he had approached President Bola Tinubu and the national security adviser to establish a new military base in the Regina area, identified as a hotspot for such attacks.
Reverend Caleb Maaji, CAN’s leader in Kaduna, who was present at the reception, echoed the sentiment of relief. “This is a testament to the resilience of our faith community and the dedication of our security forces,” he said after returning from the Government House. The freed worshippers, many from the Redeemed Christian Church of God and other local denominations, shared harrowing accounts of their time in captivity, though full testimonies are yet to emerge as they reunite with families and receive medical checkups.
This mass abduction is part of a broader pattern of violence in northern Nigeria, where armed groups often referred to as “bandits” target both Christian and Muslim communities for ransom, territorial control, or ideological reasons. Kaduna State, a flashpoint for ethno-religious conflicts, has seen numerous such incidents in recent years. Just days before this release, scores were killed in attacks elsewhere in the country, prompting the federal government to launch a new military operation against Islamic militants in the northwest.
International observers, including human rights groups, have welcomed the release but called for more proactive measures to prevent future abductions. “While we celebrate this homecoming, it underscores the urgent need for better protection of vulnerable communities,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International Nigeria.
As the freed Christians begin to rebuild their lives, the incident serves as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s security crisis. With no arrests reported in connection to the Kurmin Wali attacks, questions linger about accountability and the government’s ability to curb the escalating threats in the region.