20/01/2026
PRESS STATEMENT
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
CSWN Condemns the Abduction of Worshippers in Kurmin Wali
Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) received with sadness the news of the shocking mass abduction of worshippers from three churches in the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Sources in the community told CSW-N that on Sunday, 18 January, worshippers gathered at the three churches in the village for their regular Sunday services but were abducted by armed bandits.
To obtain further details about the abduction and verify them in person, CSWN decided to visit the community, about an hour and a half from the Kaduna metropolis. After about an hour, the team reached Makyali village and took the unmarked road to the community.
Thirty minutes later, as the team was about to enter Kurmin Wali, CSWN encountered a military convoy, including the chairman of Kajuru Local Government, which was leaving the community. They later refused to allow the CSWN team entry, despite repeated pleas and after the team showed full identification. The military officer who stopped the CSWN car said there was a standing order not to allow us in. Consequently, the team turned and was escorted back to the main road, back to Kaduna.
However, according to multiple sources from the community CSWN spoke to later, who pleaded to remain anonymous, explained that, around 9 am on Sunday, armed bandits, on dozens of motorcycles and on foot, stormed the community, split into three groups, each targeting a different church: ECWA, Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1, and Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2. They gathered the people and forced them into the bush. Later, the elderly women and young children were released, while another 11 people escaped. The sources said there are now 167 people in captivity. At the time CSWN spoke to them, they were compiling the names of those abducted.
CSWN views this abduction of people who simply wish to live their lives and worship in peace as deeply worrying, inexcusable, and totally condemnable.
Like other surrounding communities, this community has repeatedly been a victim of attacks and abductions. For example, on 11th January, 2026, 21 people were abducted from the community and were only freed after paying about N7 million. Other abductions have also taken place over the last few years. The repeated abductions have led several communities around Kurmin Wali to abandon their homes and move to safer areas.
CSWN views these repeated attacks and abductions of vulnerable locals as a clear dereliction of responsibility by the state and federal governments of Nigeria. These attacks have repeatedly occurred in several communities in Kajuru Local Government Area, and with each abduction, locals become increasingly impoverished and sink deeper into debt as they continue to pay ransoms.
Reverend Yunusa Sabo Nmadu, the Chief Executive Officer of CSWN, while applauding the military for the military successes recorded in the past few months, condemned the repeated attacks on vulnerable people in these communities.
He urged the security agencies to ensure the prompt release of those abducted and to enhance the security of all other vulnerable people. He also called on the government to strengthen the local capacity of these villagers to serve as the first line of defence against these criminals, who grow emboldened with each abduction.
Signed: Reuben Buhari
Research and Press Officer, CSW-N
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