Kidnappers are holding 166 Christian worshippers abducted from Kurmin Wali, a community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after a coordinated attack on churches during Sunday services, sparking renewed outrage over insecurity in northern Nigeria.
The incident occurred when heavily armed gunmen, reportedly riding on motorcycles, invaded multiple churches in the community, including congregations of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim churches. Worshippers were forcefully taken into surrounding forest areas, with witnesses recounting scenes of panic as entire families — including women, children, and the elderly — were marched away at gunpoint.
Initial reports indicated that about 177 people were abducted, but local sources later confirmed that 11 worshippers managed to escape, leaving 166 still in captivity.
What has further unsettled the community is the kidnappers’ unusual demand. Rather than opening direct ransom negotiations, the gunmen are insisting on a N29 million “deposit” as compensation for motorcycles they claim were lost during recent military operations in the area. According to community leaders, the abductors alleged that 17 motorcycles, valued at roughly N1.7 million each, were seized or destroyed, and have made payment of the amount a precondition for any further talks.
The demand has placed families of the abducted worshippers under immense pressure, particularly in a largely agrarian community already grappling with poverty and displacement. Many residents have reportedly fled Kurmin Wali in fear of further attacks, leaving homes abandoned and daily activities disrupted.
The abductions initially generated confusion after conflicting statements from authorities, with early official denials later contradicted by confirmations that the incident did occur. The reversals drew criticism from community groups and rights advocates, who accused security agencies of downplaying the scale of the attack.
Human rights organisations and faith-based groups have condemned the kidnappings, describing them as a grave violation of fundamental human rights and a stark reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities. They have called on federal and state authorities to prioritise the safe rescue of all captives and strengthen security presence across southern Kaduna.
The Kurmin Wali abduction is the latest in a series of mass kidnappings that continue to plague parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted villages, churches, schools, and travellers. As negotiations stall and families wait anxiously, the incident has once again highlighted the deepening security crisis and the urgent need for decisive action to protect civilians.
