Kaduna, Nigeria – January 20, 2026 – A shocking mass abduction has left the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State reeling after 177 worshippers were kidnapped from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 during Sunday services.
The attack, which occurred around 11:25 a.m., targeted entire families, leaving the village virtually deserted as survivors fled to nearby communities. Victims range in age from six-year-old Salvation Idris to 71-year-old Augustina Matthew. Families like the Jonathan household lost 12 members, the Amos family 13, and Markus/Makudi 10.
According to a police situation report, “unspecified numbers of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons attacked the churches. The community is in a remote forest area, making immediate access difficult. Concerted efforts involving the police, military, and other agencies are ongoing to rescue the victims.”
The mass abduction comes just a week after the community reportedly paid N2.6 million ransom for the release of 20 residents previously kidnapped. Survivors described attackers arriving on motorcycles and on foot, splitting into groups to simultaneously target the churches. While elderly women and some children were later released, many remain in captivity.
Rights groups have criticized authorities for obstructing independent verification. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) reported being blocked from entering Kurmin Wali shortly after the attack. CSW-N said the kidnappers took 167 victims during their engagement with community sources.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the FCT, accused security agents of enabling the kidnappers to escape with the victims. “Had security agents pursued the attackers immediately, the victims might have been rescued,” he said.
The international community has also condemned the attack. U.S. Congressman Riley Moore called the abduction “horrific” and urged the Nigerian government to ensure the swift and safe return of all victims. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi highlighted the recurring pattern of mass abductions, stating, “Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred. The time to stop this insecurity is now.”
Prior to the Kajuru attack, bandits had abducted a nursing mother and two others in nearby Kujama, demanding N150 million ransom for their release. Families of victims in both incidents continue to struggle under the threat of violence.
Below are the names of the 177 worshippers currently in captivity:
Zahaya Joshua, Nabilah Makudi, Hajara Makudi, Rebecca Hosea, Ahmad Ahmad, Liyu Ezekiel, Vivian Ezekiel, Goodluck Ezekiel, Beauty Ezekiel, Matina Maiyashi, Bridget Maiyashi, Vivian Linus, Mary Amos, Hamid Amos, Patricia Amos, Hamisu Amos, Luka Amos, Tacy Amos, Cynthia Amos (guessed), Mercy Isaac, Augustine Makudi, Matthew Samaila, Adam Musa, Malika Sule, Abu Ahmad, Hussein Lucky (guessed), Akinyi Sadiu, Dangata Amos, Helen Jonathan, Asinwa Jonathan, Faith Joseph, Gloria Kennet, Happiness Danisa, Fidelis Jacob, Tobias Markus, Istu Paul, Hassana Paul, Charity Chindo, Christiana Danisa, Everest Danima, Thomas Philip, Catrina Danbosi, Halima Hassan, Hassan Lukumi, Mary Sadiu, Franca John, Henry Danbiyi, Genesis Lawal, Ayuba Lawal, Solomon Ayuba, Theophilus Danlami (guessed), Charles Sambo, Rahila Charles, Gambo Danisa, Talent Danisa, Nehemiah Danjuma, Maijima Shekarau, Matina Maijima, Laraba Maijima, Musa Danjuma, Ishaya Danima, Lulu Danisa, Clement Ahmad, Destiny Ahmad, Nehemiah Ishaya, Simon Ishaya, Nasty Muku, Helena Joseph, Joseph Bawa, Sarah Joseph, Bulus Mariya, Musa Samaila, Bulus Bawa, Halima Bawa, Beture Hosea, Sati Hosea, Titus John, Dogara Bawa, Lories Bawa, Adamu Aminu, Ezekiel Adamu, Tenah Markus, Tina Danbosi, Patricio Bawa, Janet Tsuda, Amina Danjuma, Sandra Danbosi, Bridget Sunday, Saphat Innocent (guessed), Alex Sunday, Beauty Peter, Samisa Paul, Joy Joseph, Methole Johanna, Genesis Johanna, Maria Johanna, Merozdu Adonu, Karimi Jangbe, Sunday Martela, Santina Hershinga, Keuna Michael, Hassan Bulus, Marzeta Maisoni, Mainwa Dominic, Godwin Karimi, Amos Akijo, Nathan Amos, Joseph Chindo, Lydia Godwin, Hamna Maiyangi, Toletu Maiyangi, Esther Godday, Godswill Godday, Godlive Samson, Goodluck Aliga, Madaki Tabawa, Tabawa Abba, Tabawa Iyamye, Samuel Amos, Daniel Amos, Deborah Amos, Ruth Amos, Emmanuel Danjuma, Joshua Danjuma, Rejoice Danisa, Blessing Danisa, Ibrahim Lawal, Zainab Lawal, Sadiq Ahmad, Aisha Ahmad, Yakubu Musa, Suleiman Musa, Rahama Musa, Daniel Jonathan, Samuel Jonathan, Peter Jonathan, Grace Jonathan
Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to assist in the rescue efforts.
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