Kaduna Abduction: Full Identities of 177 Kidnapped Worshippers Released

The identities of the 177 worshippers abducted from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have now been made public.

The list, obtained by Vanguard, reveals the scale of the tragedy, showing that entire families were taken from their homes and places of worship, leaving the community deeply traumatised and almost deserted of able-bodied residents.

The attack occurred barely one week after the same community reportedly paid N2.6 million ransom to secure the release of 20 residents previously kidnapped.

Although government officials and some security agencies initially denied that the incident happened, a police situation report seen by Vanguard confirmed that the attack took place during church services on Sunday.

According to the report, information was received at about 5:45pm, indicating that the assailants struck around 11:25am. The attackers reportedly fired sporadically, forcing worshippers to flee into the surrounding forest.

The situation report stated:

“Message received from DPO Kajuru indicates that on 18/01/2026 at about 1745hrs, information was received that same date at about 1125hrs, unspecified numbers of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons attacked ECWA church and Cherubim Serafim Church 2 at Kurmin Wali in Kajuru LGA. The communities are yet to ascertain the number of worshippers kidnapped to unknown destination. The village is situated in a remote forest area. The DPO mobilised other sister security agencies and the military to the scene, which could not be accessed immediately due to bad road. Concerted effort in collaboration with all stakeholders has been intensified to rescue the victims and possibly arrest the perpetrators. Investigation has commenced.”

As of yesterday, Kurmin Wali was largely deserted, as residents who escaped the attack fled to neighbouring communities to stay with relatives and friends. Those injured during the escape were said to still be in shock, while poor network coverage and lost mobile phones made it difficult to reach many of them for comment.

Breakdown of the 177 victims

An analysis of the names shows that whole households were abducted. The Jonathan family reportedly lost 12 members, the Amos family 13, Markus/Makudi 10, Ishaya and Danisa seven each, Bawa six, while Danjuma and Musa families had five members each taken.

Other families lost between two and four members. The oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is six-year-old Salvation Idris. Other children among the abducted include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds, including Sussana Idris, Synthah Amos, Hezibah Jonathan and Hezikaiah Jonathan.

Rights groups fault official denial

The initial denial by government officials has drawn criticism from rights groups. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) insisted the abduction took place and accused security agents of obstructing independent verification.

CSW-N Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, said:

“Thirty minutes after the incident, as the team was about to enter Kurmin Wali, CSW-N encountered a military convoy, including the chairman of Kajuru Local Government, which was leaving the community.

“They later refused to allow the CSW-N team entry, despite repeated pleas and after the team showed full identification.

Advertisement

“The military officer who stopped the CSW-N said there was a standing order not to allow us in. Consequently, our team turned back and was escorted to the main road, back to Kaduna.”

CSW-N further stated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups, and attacked the churches simultaneously.

“Elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 reportedly escaped, leaving 167 in captivity at the time of the organisation’s engagement with community sources,” the group added.

CAN chairman alleges security lapses

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the FCT, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, accused security agents of enabling the attackers to escape with a large number of victims.

He said:

“If the security agents had gone after the bandits, they would have prevented them from taking the victims to where they are now hiding. Instead, the security agents only helped the bandits move the victims to a place where they could conceal them and make their demands.

“Had they pursued the attackers immediately, instead of arguing over whether anyone had indeed been kidnapped, they would have chased them away, whether they were right or wrong.”

International reactions

Reacting to the incident, US lawmaker Rep. Riley Moore described the abduction as “horrific news” and called on the Nigerian government to ensure the safe and speedy release of the victims.

He wrote:

“Our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing an existential threat at the hands of the Fulani militants. More must be done to protect them, and I urge the Nigerian government to ensure the swift and safe return of all those who were captured.”

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also condemned the incident, calling it “unacceptable” and highlighting the recurring pattern of mass abductions across the country.

He said:

“I have just been informed that yet again, at the weekend, about 172 worshippers were abducted from churches in Kaduna. This is another unfortunate consequence of a nation where insecurity has been allowed to grow unchecked and unchallenged.

“Even with official denials, we must ask ourselves hard questions: can we continue waking up to news of mass abductions, disputed figures, and denials while citizens live in fear?”

Obi urged authorities to act swiftly, adding:

“Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred. The time to stop this insecurity is now.”

Recall that the Kaduna State Government, the state police command and the chairman of Kajuru LGA had on Monday dismissed reports of a mass abduction, challenging those confirming the incident to release the names of the abducted persons.

Earlier Kujama abduction

Hours before the Kajuru attack, bandits reportedly struck Kujama community in Southern Kaduna, abducting a nursing mother, another woman and a child. The attackers allegedly abandoned the nursing mother’s baby but escaped with her, despite pleas from residents.

A relative of one of the victims, Anthony Yisa, told Vanguard that the kidnappers demanded N50 million for the nursing mother and another N100 million for a second woman, Alice Bitrus, and her son, David, bringing the total ransom demand to N150 million.

Yisa said the kidnappers warned families not to report to security agencies or risk having the captives killed.

When contacted, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansur Hassan, said he would investigate the reports and revert.

Opinion Nigeria