Key Points

• Bandits attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali, kidnapping 177 worshippers, including children and elderly.

• Entire families were taken, forcing villagers to flee and leaving the community deserted.

• Rights groups and international leaders call for urgent rescue and stronger security measures.

The names of 177 people kidnapped from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, have been released. The attack happened on Sunday during church services.

The list shows that entire families were taken, leaving the village empty and traumatised. Many residents fled to nearby towns for safety.

The raid came just a week after the community paid N2.6 million to free 20 people who were kidnapped earlier.

A police report confirmed the attack. It said the assailants, armed with guns, arrived around 11:25 a.m., fired into the air, and forced worshippers to run into the forest.

Security forces, including the military, were sent to the area, but the village is hard to reach because of bad roads.

Many of those who escaped were injured and in shock. Poor phone networks made it hard to contact them.

Families Hit Hard

Analysis of the 177 names shows that many families lost several members:

• Jonathan family: 12 people

• Amos family: 13 people

• Markus/Makudi family: 10 people

• Ishaya and Danisa families: 7 each

• Bawa family: 6

• Danjuma and Musa families: 5 each

The oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, and the youngest is six-year-old Salvation Idris. Other children include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds.

Reactions and Criticism

Some government officials denied the attack. But rights groups, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N), confirmed it happened.

They accused security forces of blocking access to the village, preventing independent verification.

CSW-N said attackers came on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups, and hit the churches at the same time.

Elderly women and small children were later released, and 11 people escaped.

The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 northern states, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, accused security forces of letting the kidnappers move the victims to hiding places safely instead of pursuing them.

International voices have spoken out. US lawmaker Rep. Riley Moore called the abduction “horrific” and urged Nigeria to act quickly to return the victims safely.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also condemned the attack and stressed that the government must protect its citizens.

Earlier Abduction in Kujama

Before this mass abduction, bandits kidnapped a nursing mother and two others in Kujama, also in Southern Kaduna.

The baby of the nursing mother was left behind. The attackers demanded N150 million in ransom for the release of the three victims.

Some family members who tried to stop the kidnappers were badly injured. Knife cuts left two men with serious hand injuries, and it’s unclear if they will fully recover.

Police promised to investigate the incidents.