Armed bandits who abducted scores of worshippers from church services in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, have demanded the return or payment for 17 motorcycles allegedly lost during recent military operations as a precondition for beginning negotiations for the release of the captives.
The abductors made the demand in a phone call to a community negotiator, insisting that the motorcycles must be returned or compensated before they will discuss the terms for freeing the remaining captives. The motorcycles are being valued at an estimated ₦28.9 million, according to local sources.
The incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when dozens of gunmen stormed three places of worship — the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Cherubim and Seraphim Church I and II — and abducted 177 worshippers during morning services. Eleven of those seized have since escaped, leaving approximately 166 still in captivity as of midweek.
Village Head Ishaku Dan’azumi confirmed that the captors were later observed moving through forest paths with their captives between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, raising grave concerns for their welfare amid dense bush terrain.
The incident initially generated confusion after Kaduna State officials, including the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, publicly denied that an abduction had taken place, dismissing early reports as rumours. They even challenged claimants to produce names of the victims.
However, subsequent verification by operational units and intelligence sources led the Nigeria Police Force to confirm the abductions in a statement made by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin. The Nigeria Police subsequently deployed tactical units and intensified patrols to locate and rescue the abducted worshippers.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State visited Kurmin Wali on Wednesday and pledged that his administration, in collaboration with security agencies, is working tirelessly to secure the release and safe return of the captives. The governor expressed solidarity with affected families and condemned attempts to politicise the tragedy.
Governor Sani also announced plans to improve long-term security by liaising with the Defence Ministry to establish a military base in the area and enhance road access to improve rapid-response capabilities.
The Adara Development Association (ADA) has demanded a public apology from the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and the Kajuru council chairman for their initial denial of the abduction and alleged suppression of facts, calling their actions insensitive and undermining public trust.
National and local advocacy groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the ECWA Church, have also condemned the abduction and criticised poor communication by authorities, urging transparent action and urgent rescue efforts.
A comprehensive list of the 177 abducted worshippers has been published, revealing that entire families were seized in the attacks. Victims range in age from young children to the elderly, exacerbating the anguish among relatives and heightening calls for a swift and decisive rescue.
The kidnapping in Kurmin Wali underscores the persisting insecurity in Southern Kaduna, where armed groups exploit remote, forested terrain to stage attacks on soft targets such as villages, farms and places of worship. Residents say repeated mass abductions have disrupted farming, schooling and everyday life, compelling many to flee their homes.
As families await news of the safe return of their loved ones, security agencies continue search-and-rescue operations amid mounting national and international scrutiny of Nigeria’s broader security crisis.