Kaduna, Nigeria — January 19, 2026
Armed assailants kidnapped scores of worshippers from three separate churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State on Sunday, in one of the most severe mass abduction incidents targeting Christians in Nigeria this year.
The attackers struck while congregations were holding services at an ECWA church, a Cherubim & Seraphim church, and a Catholic church, overwhelming security and seizing dozens of parishioners before fleeing into nearby forests, according to local sources and community leaders.
Initial reports indicate that over 150 worshippers were abducted in the coordinated raids, with local church officials suggesting that more than 160 people remain in captivity. Some witnesses and family members have reported that at least 168 worshippers are unaccounted for, while a small number managed to escape during the chaos.
A senior leader within the Christian community described the attack as “a tragedy that has struck the heart of our fellowship,” adding that families are distraught and desperately seeking information about their loved ones.
There has been no official statement yet from the Kaduna State government or security forces regarding a rescue operation, although local authorities are believed to be engaging military and police units to track the kidnappers.
Abductions by armed gangs — commonly referred to as “bandits” — have been on the rise across parts of northern and central Nigeria, with churches, schools, and remote villages frequently targeted for ransom. Christian communities in Kaduna have previously experienced violence and kidnappings, highlighting enduring security challenges in the region.
Church leaders and civil society organizations have condemned the violence and called for urgent government action to protect vulnerable communities and secure the release of those taken.
Relatives of the kidnapped worshippers have appealed to humanitarian and religious organizations for support as they wait anxiously for news of rescue efforts.
