From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed the abduction of worshippers from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, reversing an earlier denial. Tactical and intelligence units have been deployed across the area and neighboring communities to rescue the 177 victims and track down the perpetrators.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin explained that initial reports dismissing the incident were based on conflicting accounts from the field.
He clarified that the Commissioner of Police’s earlier remarks were intended to prevent panic while facts were being verified. The official confirmation followed a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by Governor Uba Sani.
According to the police situation report, the attack occurred on Sunday, January 18, during church services at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1, and Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2.
Armed assailants reportedly struck around 11:25 am, firing sporadically and forcing worshippers into the surrounding forest. While 11 individuals managed to escape, 166 remain in captivity.
Reuben Buhari, the Research and Press Officer for Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N), stated that the attackers targeted the three churches simultaneously.
He noted that while elderly women and young children were later released, the team from CSW-N was initially denied entry to the community by military personnel shortly after the incident.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets to the area.
The Force urged residents to remain calm and rely on official communications as rescue efforts continue.
The full list of 177 victims identified by community sources includes: Samson Naallah, Edisid Naallah, Christopher Naallah, Martin Samson, Moses Samson, Clever Godwin, Jerusalem Chindo, Markus Makudi, Benjamin Markus, Albert Markus, Olelana Markus, Linus Markus, Hassana Linus, Ojo Bamboya, Esther Ojo, Mary Jonathan, George Jonathan, Careful Jonathan, EF James, Morin Boniface, Junior James, Happiness Jonathan, Honest Jonathan, Honesty Jonathan, Faith Luka, Beauty Luka, Junior Luka, Rosemary Luka, Dorothy Musa, Selina Nwankwo, Alice Bamboya, Magdalena Godwin, Hassan Ishaya, Lazarus Ishaya, Marta Ishaya, Zummunta Ishaya, Salvation Ishaya, Susana Linus, Jummal Linus, and Peace Joshua.
Also listed are Zahaya Joshua, Nabilah Makudi, Hajara Makudi, Rebecca Hosea, Ahmad Ahmad, Liyu Ezekiel, Vivian Ezekiel, Goodluck Ezekiel, Beauty Ezekiel, Matina Maiyashi, Bridget Maiyashi, Vivian Linus, Mary Amos, Hamid Amos, Patricia Amos, Hamisu Amos, Luka Amos, Tacy Amos, Cynthia Amos, Mercy Isaac, Augustine Makudi, Matthew Samaila, Adam Musa, Malika Sule, Abu Ahmad, Hussein Lucky, Akinyi Sadiu, Dangata Amos, Helen Jonathan, Asinwa Jonathan, Faith Joseph, Gloria Kennet, Happiness Danisa, Fidelis Jacob, Tobias Markus, Istu Paul, Hassana Paul, Charity Chindo, Christiana Danisa, and Everest Danima.
The list continues with Thomas Philip, Catrina Danbosi, Halima Hassan, Hassan Lukumi, Mary Sadiu, Franca John, Henry Danbiyi, Genesis Lawal, Ayuba Lawal, Solomon Ayuba, Theophilus Danlami, Charles Sambo, Rahila Charles, Gambo Danisa, Talent Danisa, Nehemiah Danjuma, Maijima Shekarau, 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, and Adamu Aminu.
Other victims include Ezekiel Adamu, Tenah Markus, Tina Danbosi, Patricio Bawa, Janet Tsuda, Amina Danjuma, Sandra Danbosi, Bridget Sunday, Saphat Innocent, 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, and Grace Jonathan.
