Dozens of worshippers were reportedly abducted from two churches in Kaduna State on Sunday, in what church leaders described as a brazen attack by armed gangs. According to initial reports from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), more than 160 worshippers were kidnapped during services at Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2 in Kurmin Wali, a forested community in Kajuru Local Government Area. Rev. Joseph Hayab, head of CAN in Northern Nigeria, told news agencies that the gunmen stormed the churches armed with sophisticated weapons, blocked the entrances, and forcibly took the worshippers into the bush. The victims, he added, included men, women, and children, and while some managed to escape, the majority were allegedly taken by the attackers.
Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of CAN in the region, provided additional details to reporters, saying that information received from church elders indicated that 172 worshippers were abducted, with nine managing to flee. He described the attack as a coordinated and calculated operation by criminal gangs, locally referred to as bandits, who have frequently targeted churches, schools, and communities in northern and central Nigeria to demand ransom payments. Witnesses reported that the gunmen entered in groups, overpowered the church security, and marched the congregants into surrounding bushes, prompting widespread fear and panic among residents.
The attack in Kurmin Wali is the latest in a series of high-profile kidnappings in Nigeria, highlighting the persistent and complex security challenges facing the country. In November, for instance, more than 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school, with their release occurring in stages following ransom negotiations. Experts attribute the persistence of such attacks to systemic issues, including corruption within security agencies, poor intelligence sharing between local and federal forces, and underfunded policing structures that struggle to respond effectively to criminal networks operating in remote areas.
Northern and central Nigeria continue to face recurring banditry, with armed gangs frequently targeting communities for ransom, livestock, and other resources. Beyond criminal kidnappings, the country is contending with other security threats, such as the Islamist insurgency in the north-east, separatist violence in the south-east, and recurring clashes between herders and farmers over access to land and water in central regions. Analysts argue that these overlapping security crises have created a vacuum that criminal actors exploit, making isolated communities highly vulnerable to attacks.
Adding to the gravity of the issue, the Nigerian Defence Minister resigned last month, officially citing health reasons, though the move occurred amid mounting criticism of the federal government’s handling of widespread kidnappings. International partners have also become increasingly involved, with the United States conducting airstrikes against Islamist militant camps in north-western Nigeria on Christmas Day, and President Donald Trump warning of further strikes should attacks against Christians continue. Such actions underscore the global attention Nigeria’s security situation has attracted.
In contrast to the alarming reports, the Kaduna State Government and the Kaduna State Police Command quickly moved to dismiss claims of a mass abduction, describing them as false and misleading. The state police commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, referred to the reports as the work of “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to destabilize the area, and challenged those spreading the claims to provide names and identities of the alleged victims. He warned that unverified information could exacerbate fear and unrest, and vowed to hold anyone spreading rumors accountable under the law.
The Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, corroborated the police position, stating that investigations by the council and security personnel found no evidence of an attack at the reported churches. He said he personally visited the sites, spoke to the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and interviewed local youth leaders, all of whom denied that any abductions had occurred. Madaki further challenged those claiming otherwise to present verifiable details of the alleged victims, asserting that the purported incident was being spread by individuals unhappy with the relative peace in the area under the current administration.
Adding to the official response, Kaduna State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), stated that interactions with community members and religious leaders indicated that the reports were entirely false. He emphasized that the government maintains zero tolerance for criminality and continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all residents, urging the public not to give credence to unverified claims that could incite fear or panic.
Despite official denials, opposition voices have amplified calls for immediate federal intervention. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the reported abduction as another troubling indicator of the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria. In a statement, the party criticized the federal government for failing to protect citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of worship, emphasizing that Nigerians should not live in fear when attending churches, mosques, or other places of worship.
The PDP specifically called for comprehensive rescue operations, urging the federal government to take proactive steps to secure the release of the alleged victims. They cited previous instances, such as the high-profile school kidnappings, where operational inefficiencies and excessive focus on media optics compromised the safety of hostages. Party officials stressed that government priorities should center on safeguarding lives rather than pursuing image management strategies, which they argue have failed to yield tangible improvements in security.
In addition to urging swift federal action, the PDP highlighted structural issues within Nigeria’s security apparatus, including the underfunding of local policing, poor intelligence coordination, and insufficient enforcement of laws against organized crime. The party stressed that unless these systemic deficiencies are addressed, communities will remain vulnerable to repeated attacks, with perpetrators continuing to operate with impunity.
Local religious leaders, while initially reporting the alleged abductions, have maintained calls for calm amid the conflicting reports. Rev. Joseph Hayab acknowledged that the situation has caused fear and anxiety among worshippers and residents but emphasized that the focus should remain on collaborating with security agencies to prevent potential future incidents. He reiterated that accurate information is essential to avoid panic, while underscoring the importance of proactive protection measures for congregations.
Observers note that the conflicting accounts highlight a deeper issue in Nigeria’s security communications, where rumors, misinformation, and delayed official reporting often fuel public concern. Analysts suggest that timely verification of incidents, transparent reporting, and active engagement between community leaders and security forces are crucial to maintain public trust and ensure that responses are both effective and credible.
The alleged attack also underscores the broader pattern of criminal violence in northern Nigeria, where communities have faced persistent threats from armed groups. Even unverified reports can have a destabilizing effect, amplifying fears and challenging local governance. In this context, accurate intelligence, rapid response mechanisms, and community liaison initiatives are vital to prevent panic and to reinforce confidence in the state’s ability to protect citizens.
Experts emphasize that the mixed reports on the Kurmin Wali incident reflect a tension between perception and reality in regions vulnerable to criminal activity. While the state government insists no abduction occurred, the initial claims highlight the need for continued vigilance, enhanced security presence, and rapid response protocols, particularly in areas that have historically faced threats from bandits and other armed groups.
The Kaduna State case also illustrates the political dimension of security reporting, with opposition parties using alleged incidents to criticize the federal government, while state authorities defend their record and caution against unverified information.