By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Gunmen used to illustrate the story |
KADUNA, NIGERIA — The quiet of a Sunday morning was shattered in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, as suspected bandits launched a coordinated assault on local churches, abducting at least 163 worshippers.
The brazen attack, which occurred during peak service hours on January 18, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the state, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing rural communities in Northern Nigeria.
According to Enoch Kaura, the Chairperson of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kajuru LGA, the bandits arrived in overwhelming numbers, strategically blocking church exits before forcing the congregants into the surrounding wilderness. "The attack occurred while members were in the middle of the service," Kaura confirmed.
"They forced the congregation into the bush. It has been confirmed that 172 people were initially taken, including men, women, and children. While nine individuals managed to escape shortly after, 163 remain in captivity."
The incident has sparked a heated debate regarding the actual security situation on the ground. While CAN officials and local eyewitnesses provide detailed accounts of the mass abduction, the Kaduna State Police Command has issued a starkly different narrative.
Commissioner of Police Muhammad Rabiu dismissed the reports as "falsehoods" during a security council meeting on Monday, challenging anyone with evidence to provide specific names and particulars of the missing persons. This conflicting information has left families of the victims in a state of double agony mourning their missing loved ones while facing official denials of the event.
Kajuru LGA has long been a flashpoint for banditry due to its dense forest terrain, which borders Niger and Katsina States and provides easy cover for criminal camps. This latest mass kidnapping follows a pattern of "ransom industry" tactics where armed gangs target vulnerable groups to demand steep payments.
As of Monday afternoon, the state's police spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, remained unreachable for further clarification, leaving the community in a tense wait for news of their kin.