Armed bandits in northern Nigeria launched a brazen Sunday morning assault on Christian churches, abducting over 160 worshippers at gunpoint in an escalating wave of lawless terrorism that exposes the region’s catastrophic security failures and government officials’ troubling attempts to initially deny the attack even occurred.
Mass Abduction Targets Christian Worshippers During Services
Armed bandits attacked at least two churches in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on January 18, 2026, during Sunday morning services around 11:25 a.m. The attackers stormed Evangelical Church Winning All, Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1, and possibly Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2, using sophisticated weapons to block entrances and prevent escape. Reverend Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s northern chapter, reported 172 worshippers taken, with nine managing to escape. State lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo cited 168 missing from three churches, while traditional chief Ishaku Dan’azumi reported 166 abducted. The coordinated assault demonstrates the audacity of criminal gangs operating with impunity in Nigeria’s vulnerable northern regions.
Official Denials Create Public Distrust Before Reversal
Kaduna Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu initially dismissed reports as “false” on January 19, creating confusion and frustration among victims’ families seeking help. Local government chairperson Dauda Madaki similarly denied the attack occurred. This pattern of official denial mirrors broader governance failures that leave Christian communities feeling abandoned. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin reversed the department’s position on January 20 after verification, confirming the attack occurred with sophisticated weapons and announcing deployment of troops, tactical units, and patrols. Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun ordered intensified operations, while Governor Uba Sani convened the State Security Council. The initial denials reveal a disturbing tendency among officials to dismiss credible reports rather than immediately protecting citizens under assault by criminal elements.
Ransom-Driven Banditry Exploits Weak Security Infrastructure
Northern Nigeria faces escalating banditry by armed gangs operating from forest enclaves, exploiting weak governance, poor infrastructure, and minimal security presence in remote areas like Kurmin Wali. These criminal networks conduct mass kidnappings for ransom, systematically targeting schools, villages, and houses of worship. The pattern reflects government failure to establish basic security protections for law-abiding citizens. In November 2025, bandits seized over 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in neighboring Niger State, releasing them in batches after ransom payments. In April 2025, an ECWA church in Kaduna paid approximately $205,000 to free 50 members. These ransom payments financially devastate communities while enriching criminal enterprises, creating perverse incentives for continued attacks. The victims currently held in forests face uncertain fates as families await ransom demands they may be unable to afford.
Christian Communities Bear Disproportionate Burden of Violence
While experts note bandits attack both Christian and Muslim communities, the pattern of targeting churches during worship services and the financial devastation from repeated ransom demands place extraordinary pressure on Christian populations. Church leaders report congregations being systematically bankrupted by criminals who understand religious communities will sacrifice everything to save their members. The predominantly Christian village of Kurmin Wali, located in Kaduna’s Afogo ward with poor road access, exemplifies the vulnerability of isolated faith communities. Family members like Afiniki Moses confirmed relatives among the abducted, facing the agonizing wait for news. The attack disrupts religious freedom—a fundamental human right—by making worship gatherings dangerous targets. This assault on religious liberty should concern anyone who values the right of citizens to gather peacefully without fear of armed violence and extortion.
As of January 21, 2026, the approximately 163-172 victims remain held in forest hideouts while rescue operations continue. No ransom demands or releases have been confirmed through official channels. The incident underscores Nigeria’s struggle with lawlessness in regions where government authority has effectively collapsed, leaving citizens to face sophisticated criminal networks without adequate protection. For families in Kurmin Wali, the coming days will determine whether their loved ones return home safely or become yet another statistic in Nigeria’s expanding crisis of banditry and kidnapping for profit.
Sources:
Nigeria: Gunmen abduct over 160 worshippers in church attacks – Africanews
Police finally admit mass abduction of worshippers in Kaduna – Premium Times Nigeria
Conflicting reports of recent kidnappings in Nigeria raise alarm for Christian advocates – OSV News
Nigeria church attack kidnap Kaduna Christians – DW