Police make U-turn, admit 177 churchgoers were abducted in Kaduna

By Tgnews Reporter

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reversed its earlier stance and officially confirmed the abduction of church worshippers in the remote Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, following intense public scrutiny and conflicting reports.

In a press statement released on January 20, 2026, by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the NPF acknowledged that gunmen carried out the attack on Sunday, January 18, during church services.

The incident targeted three churches: the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), a Cherubim and Seraphim church (Albarka), and another Cherubim and Seraphim denomination (Haske).

Initial reports from local sources, including a state lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo and community leaders, indicated that gunmen stormed the services, abducting around 177 worshippers.

Eleven individuals reportedly escaped, leaving approximately 166–168 still in captivity, according to accounts from residents, church elders, and organizations such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria.

The police initially denied the mass abduction on January 19–20, with the Kaduna State Police Commissioner describing the reports as “falsehood” spread by mischief-makers, and local government officials stating that security teams found no evidence of the attack upon visiting the area.

This denial sparked widespread criticism, with residents, including the village head Ishaku Dan’azumi Sarkin, insisting the incident occurred and accusing authorities of downplaying the crisis to avoid panic.

The NPF statement explained the initial caution: comments from the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police were meant to prevent unnecessary alarm while facts were verified amid conflicting accounts from community members during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by the Governor.

The Force emphasized that the remarks were misinterpreted and not an outright denial.

Subsequent verification through operational units and intelligence has now confirmed the abduction. The NPF has activated coordinated operations with other security agencies, focusing on locating and rescuing the victims while restoring calm in the area.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has directed the deployment of tactical units, intensified patrols, targeted search-and-rescue missions, and other proactive measures in Kajuru and surrounding communities.

The statement appealed for public patience, urging reliance on official channels to avoid speculation that could jeopardize operations or heighten anxiety. The Force reiterated its commitment to citizen safety and promised further updates.

The incident adds to ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State, where banditry and kidnappings—often for ransom—have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities in rural areas. Kurmin Wali, a forested and remote location, has seen repeated attacks, including a recent abduction of 21 residents just days earlier.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, and details on the victims—including reports of entire families taken, ranging from children as young as six to elderly individuals—have heightened concerns over the vulnerability of worshippers in isolated communities.

Residents and rights groups continue to call for faster rescue efforts and better protection in the region amid fears for the hostages’ safety.