The names of 177 individuals abducted from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been disclosed.
The list reveals that entire families were taken from their homes and places of worship, leaving the community traumatized and nearly deserted.
The abduction occurred less than a week after residents of the same area reportedly paid a ransom of N2.6 million for the release of 20 people kidnapped earlier, according to Vanguard sources.
While government and security officials initially denied the incident, a police situation report by Vanguard confirmed that the assault took place during Sunday church services. According to the report, information about the attack was received at 5:45 p.m., noting that gunmen struck around 11:25 a.m., firing sporadically and forcing worshippers to flee into nearby forests.
The report read in part: Message received from DPO Kajuru said that on 18/01/2026, at about 1125hrs, an unspecified number of armed bandits attacked ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2 at Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA. The number of worshippers abducted is yet to be confirmed. The area is remote, and the police, military, and other security agencies have been mobilized to rescue the victims and apprehend the attackers. Investigation is ongoing.
As of yesterday, Kurmin Wali remained largely abandoned. Survivors fled to neighboring communities, while some injured during the escape were still recovering. Poor network coverage and lost phones made contacting them difficult.
Victim Analysis
An examination of the 177 released names shows that entire households were abducted. Families such as, the Jonathan family had 12 members kidnapped, the Amos family 13, Markus/Makudi 10, and Ishaya and Danisa seven each. Smaller families saw between two and four members taken.
The victims’ ages range from six-year-old Salvation Idris to 71-year-old Augustina Matthew. Several young children, including Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), and Tessy Amos (8), were among those abducted.
Human rights groups have criticized the government denial of the abductions. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) accused security forces of obstructing independent verification. Reuben Buhari, CSW-N’s Research and Press Officer, recounted:
“Thirty minutes after the attack, our team was blocked from entering Kurmin Wali by a military convoy and the local government chairman. Despite showing identification, we were turned away due to standing orders.”
CSW-N added that attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups, and targeted the churches simultaneously. Elderly women and young children were reportedly released, while 11 individuals escaped, leaving 167 still captive at that point.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in northern states and the FCT, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, criticized security forces for failing to pursue the kidnappers, arguing that prompt action could have prevented the mass abduction.
He said ”If the security agents had gone after the bandits, they would have prevented them from taking the victims to where they now hiding. Instead, the security agents only helped the bandits move the victims to a place where they could conceal them and make their demands.
International Condemnation
U.S. Congressman Rep. Riley Moore condemned the abductions as “horrific” and called on the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of all victims. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi described the event as “unacceptable,” highlighting the recurring pattern of mass abductions in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, victims’ families reported receiving threats from kidnappers demanding N150 million in ransom, warning that any contact with security agencies could result in death. One family described the abduction of a nursing mother and her three-year-old child, as well as violent attacks on relatives attempting to intervene.
Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer Mansur Hassan stated that investigations are ongoing.
Names of Kidnapped Worshippers
The full list of victims, including Zahaya Joshua and others, has now been released.
41. Zahaya Joshua 42. Nabilah Makudi 43. Hajara Makudi 44. Rebecca Hosea 45. Ahmad Ahmad 46. Vivian Ezekiel 47. Liyu Ezekiel 48. Goodluck Ezekiel 49. Beauty Ezekiel 50. Matina Maiyashi 51. Bridget Maiyashi 52. Vivan Linus 53. Mary Amos 54. Hamid Amos 55. Patricia Amos 56. Hamisu Amos 57. Luka Amos 58. Tacy Amos 59. Cynthia Amos (guessed) 60. Mercy Issac 61. Augustine Makudi 62. Mattew Samaila
- Malika Sule
- Abu Ahmad
- Hussein Lucky (guessed)
- Akinyi Sadiu
- Dangata Amos
- Helen Jonathan
- Asinwa Jonathan
- Faith Joseph
- Gloria Kennet
- Happiness Danisa
- Fidelis Jacob
- Tobias Markus
- Istu Paul
- Hassana Paul
- Everest Danima
- Thomas Philip
- Catrina Danbosi
- Halima Hassan
- Hassan Lukumi
- Mary Sadiu
- Franca John
- Henry Danbiyi
- 88. Genesis Lawal
- Ayuba Lawal
- Solomon Ayuba
- Theophilus Danlami (guessed)
- Charles Sambo
- 93. Rahila Charles
- Gambo Danisa
- Talent Danisa
- Nehemiah Danjuma
- Maijima Shekarau
- 98. Matina Maijima
- Laraba Maijima
- Musa Danjuma
- Ishaya Danima
- Lulu Danisa
- Clement Ahmad
- Destiny Ahmad
- Nehemiah Ishaya
- Simon Ishaya
- Nasty Muku
- Helena Joseph
- Joseph Bawa
- Sarah Joseph
- Bulus Mariya
- Musa Samaila
- Bulus Bawa
- Halima Bawa
- Beture Hosea
- Sati Hosea
- Titus John
- Dogara Bawa
- Lories Bawa
- Adamu Aminu
- Ezekiel Adamu
- Tenah Markus
- Tina Danbosi
- Patricio Bawa
- Janet Tsuda
- Amina Danjuma
- Sandra Danbosi
- Bridget Sunday
- Saphat Innocent (guessed)
- Alex Sunday
- Beauty Peter
- Samisa Paul
- Joy Joseph
- Methole Johanna
- Genesis Johanna
- Maria Johanna
- Merozdu Adonu
- Karimi Jangbe
- Sunday Martela
- Santina Hershinga
- Keuna Michael
- Hassan Bulus
- Marzeta Maisoni
- Mainwa Dominic
- Godwin Karimi
- Amos Akijo
- Nathan Amos
- Joseph Chindo
- Lydia Godwin
- Hamna Maiyangi
- Toletu Maiyangi
- Esther Godday
- Godswill Godday
- Godlive Samson
- Goodluck Aliga
- Madaki Tabawa
- Tabawa Abba
- Tabawa Iyamye
- Samuel Amos
- Daniel Amos
- Deborah Amos
- Ruth Amos
- Emmanuel Danjuma
- Joshua Danjuma
- Rejoice Danisa
- Blessing Danisa
- Ibrahim Lawal
- Zainab Lawal
- Sadiq Ahmad
- Aisha Ahmad
- Yakubu Musa
- Suleiman Musa
- Rahama Musa
- Daniel Jonathan
- Samuel Jonathan
- Peter Jonathan
- Grace Jonathan
- Adam Musa
- christain danisa
- Charity Chindo
