Mass Abduction of Worshippers in Kaduna: Community in Fear as Bandits Demand Motorcycles

In a shocking incident on January 18, 2026, the Kurmin Wali community in southern Kaduna witnessed the mass abduction of 177 Christian worshippers during a coordinated attack on multiple churches. This marks the second such attack in just a week, leaving the community paralyzed with fear and prompting residents to flee their homes, leading to abandoned farms and closed schools.

Initial reports from local authorities dismissed the incident as mere rumors; however, police later confirmed the abduction, highlighting the ongoing security crisis in the region. Survivors recounted how armed men stormed the churches during worship, forcing congregants into the forest. Rather than demanding a monetary ransom, the assailants have requested the return of motorcycles lost during recent military operations against bandit camps.

Military sources suggest that this abduction may be a retaliatory act by bandits fleeing intensified military efforts in nearby areas. Community leaders are now calling for urgent government intervention to ensure the safe return of the victims and to enhance local security measures, as fears persist among residents who feel increasingly vulnerable amid ongoing violence.