By Ibrahim Hassan, John Alechenu, Luminous Jannamike, Favour Ulebor, Evelyn Usman, and Gift ChapiOdekina
LAGOS — In response to the kidnapping of 177 congregants in Kaduna State, the United States has urged the Nigerian government to step up efforts to protect Christian communities. The nation’s worries about violence driven by religion have been rekindled by this tragedy.
The Nigeria Police Force and the Kaduna State Government first denied the January 18 kidnapping on Monday. On Wednesday, the police did, however, confirm that the worshippers had been abducted.
According to sources, in order to free the victims, the kidnappers are want the return of 17 motorcycles worth N28.9 million that were purportedly taken during recent military operations.
US call
The US made the request yesterday at a high-level United States-Nigeria Working Group meeting in Abuja. US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker stated that recent events demonstrated that Nigeria needs to take more steps to ensure the safety of Christians and their freedom to practice their religion.
Hooker acknowledged that recent months have seen progress, but cautioned that ongoing attacks on religious communities jeopardize public trust and security achievements.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities; prioritize counterterrorism and insecurity; investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable; and reduce the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly in North-Central states,” Hooker stated.
Defense of Christians
Regarding Christian protection, the Nigerian government recently managed to free 265 Christians kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School and 38 Christians kidnapped from a church in Kwara State. Our interaction with the Nigerian government is directly responsible for this significant advancement. However, recent allegations that over 170 Christians were abducted by gunmen in Kaduna State on January 18 worry us. More needs to be done by the Nigerian government to safeguard Christians’ freedom and safety to practice their religion.
In addition to promoting the return of internally displaced people to their villages, she said that bolstering religious freedom and security will further boost bilateral relationships between the two nations, including in commerce, economic cooperation, health, and counterterrorism initiatives.
“The United States and Nigeria can develop trade and economic agreements, weaken terrorist organizations that pose a threat to our interests, and improve health responses, among many other areas, by promoting religious freedom and security. Our goals include expanding investigations, ensuring the prosecution of individuals and organizations committing atrocities, identifying ways to restore internally displaced people to the areas from which they were ejected in the North Central states, and blocking financing and weapons getting to terrorist organizations.
In the impacted areas, we’re stepping up military operations—FG
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Advisor, responded by stating that the Federal Government is stepping up military and law enforcement activities in impacted areas and acknowledging the scope of the security challenge.
He emphasized that acts of violence motivated by religion are intolerable and will be viewed as an assault on the Nigerian government.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs—is non-negotiable,” stated Ribadu. Religiously motivated violence is viewed as an assault on the Nigerian state.
“In order to ensure that operational successes translate into public confidence and strengthened social cohesion, our response integrates security operations, the rule of law, humanitarian safeguards, and strategic communication.”
He said that President Bola Tinubu had given the go-ahead for more security deployments, better intelligence cooperation, and more thorough investigations into attacks on religious groups, guaranteeing that the perpetrators would face punishment.
“At the national level, and under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has taken deliberate and decisive steps to confront insecurity,” stated Ribadu. The President has authorized intensified joint operations, formally declared national security emergencies in high-risk and vulnerable areas, and ordered the continuous deployment of security forces to priority locations, especially communities where attacks on civilians and religious groups are frequent.
“These directives have been accompanied by tangible action. In order to provide a single, reliable source of precise and verifiable information on deaths and casualties resulting from violence, Nigeria is building a national database and strengthening early warning and quick response systems.
This endeavor will improve accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and security response efficacy. In order to guarantee that violence is confronted not just with force but also with justice and accountability, investigations and prosecutions pertaining to attacks on religious communities have been stepped up concurrently.
SMBLF requests that victims be rescued right away.
In the meantime, the abduction of 177 innocent Adara people from Kurmin Wali village, Afogo Ward, Kajuru LGA of Southern Kaduna has been denounced by the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum, SMBLF, in a joint statement by four forum leaders from the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria.
HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the leader of Afenifere; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the president of the Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Amb. Godknows Igali, the national chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, made the declaration.
“We stand firmly in solidarity with the Adara people, Southern Kaduna, and all victims of terrorism across the region,” SMBLF stated in response to the heinous crime that targeted innocent civilians who were peacefully worshipping in their community.
The reckless and startling public denial of the mass kidnapping by Mohammed Rabiu, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police; Sule Shu’aibu, SAN, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs; and Mr. Madaki Dauda, the Chairman of the Kajuru Local Government Council, has made this atrocity even worse.
In addition to being a betrayal of public confidence, the SMBLF sees this behavior as a serious act of ineptitude that hampered rescue operations, gave the abductors more confidence, and allowed them to move their victims to far-off terror havens.
“There can be no moral or administrative excuse for silence or inaction now that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has publicly confirmed that the kidnapping did occur.”
Therefore, we anticipate that the relevant authorities will punish any officials who willfully deceived the public, hindered emergency response, or attempted to minimize the pain of victims.
The SMBLF’s long-standing stance of vehemently denouncing the so-called amnesty scheme given to armed bandits and terrorists in Kaduna State has once again been vindicated by this heinous atrocity.
The Kaduna State Government’s continued provision of free medical care, educational opportunities for terrorists’ children, and skill-building programs to violent criminals who have not turned in their weapons or renounced terrorism while their victims are left to suffer from trauma, displacement, and poverty is incredibly insensitive and strategically reckless.
“The fact that hundreds of indigenous communities in Southern Kaduna still lack a significant security presence while limited public resources are being spent on the welfare of those who have shed innocent blood is even more concerning.”
The forum bemoaned the fact that the Middle Belt has grown to be the most conducive area for banditry, where people’s lives are traded for ransom with no repercussion for the offenders.
It urged Kaduna State Governor Sani to abandon his appeasement strategy, which is biased in favor of terrorists, and called for a shift in tactics to combat the threat.
Villager: This is the 23rd attack on our community.
Following the kidnapping of multiple congregants and community members from ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim churches on January 18, SMBLF spoke as a villager in Kurmin Wali village, Kaduna State, revealing the depth of sadness engulfing the community.
“This is the 23rd time our community has been attacked,” the local, who only went by Godwin, revealed over the phone in a shaking voice. This was the second attack of the year. Twenty members of this community were abducted on January 11, 2026, and the community paid the N2.6 million ransom. Since we have nowhere else to call home, we have been living in constant fear and are unsure of where to flee. Thirty-four of those kidnapped were women; some were old, while others were youths and kids between the ages of ten and twelve.
The villager added that neither of the attacked churches had any pastors. Instead, “leaders were supervising the churches’ affairs.” The pastors of the two churches in Cherubim and Seraphim, as well as ECWA, had been moved. Prior to the incident, they had not yet sent new pastors.
“The bandits didn’t fire a shot on the day they attacked. They encircled the church, gave the order for everyone to leave in procession, and led them through the jungle.
“Those who were able to flee did so through the bush, but when they noticed that the elderly could not walk quickly, they told them to go back,” Godwin said.
Speaker Abass: Save worshippers and capture abductors
Speaking about the assault, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen urged the security services to save worshippers.
The Speaker lamented the recent mass kidnappings in some regions of the nation and denounced the attack on the churches in a statement issued by Musa Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. He bemoaned in particular the recent attacks on vulnerable targets like schools and places of worship.
Speaker Abbas urged everyone to work together to make Nigeria a secure place for people, property, and companies while reiterating his faith in the President Tinubu administration to buck the trend.
SOKAPU demands immediate government action and denounces kidnapping.
Engineer Samuel Tabara, National President of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), called the incident “evil” and “unacceptable.”
Speaking during a visit, the president of SOKAPU emphasized the need to stop the ongoing attacks on rural communities and urged governments at all levels to step up efforts to guarantee the safe and unconditional return of all kidnapped individuals.
He said that the kidnapping was a serious attack on religious freedom and humanity, and that the region’s peace and social stability was at risk due to ongoing insecurity.
However, Tabara praised the governor of Kaduna State for his quick reaction to the tragedy and his commitment to fostering security and tranquility throughout the state.
In order to stop future attacks, he urged the state administration to immediately build access roads to the community and set up permanent police outposts around Kurmin Wali and nearby settlements.
Christian clergy in S-Kaduna announce a two-day fast
To seek divine intervention about the attack, the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, or SKCLA, has announced a two-day fasting and prayer campaign.
The association expressed distress and called the kidnappings “heartbreaking, alarming, and unacceptable” in a statement released by its chairman, Apostle Emmanuel Kure.
The Christian leaders pointed out that because members of three different Christian denominations were allegedly kidnapped on the same day during church services, the Kajuru attack was unusual in Southern Kaduna’s history.
The event, which occurred amid a string of unresolved kidnappings in villages around Southern Kaduna, especially in Kauru and Kachia LGAs, where families are still struggling with uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones, has reportedly increased anxiety in the area.
According to the group, “the Kajuru kidnapping adds to a growing list of painful and unresolved cases across Southern Kaduna, leaving families traumatized and communities living in fear.”
In addition to taking decisive action to put an end to the ongoing cycle of kidnappings in the area, SKCLA urged the Kaduna State government, security services, and other pertinent authorities to step up efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of everyone kidnapped in Kajuru.
The group announced a two-day fasting and prayer program based on Psalm 57:2-3 as a spiritual reaction to the crisis, with the goal of ensuring the safe return of all kidnapped individuals throughout Southern Kaduna.
Christian elders demand accountable leadership.
According to Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), the kidnapping of 177 worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA, at a time when locals thought the state had regained lasting peace, was a cruel shock and has greatly disturbed Christians and people throughout Northern Nigeria.
“At a time when we thought that the desired peace had finally returned to Kaduna State, the ugly incident of the abduction of over 170 worshippers in Kurmin Wali came to us as a rude shock,” he stated.
He urged Governor Sani to stay unwavering and dedicated until the final kidnapped victim is securely reunited with their family.
“We urge the practical and diligent Governor of Kaduna State to never give up until the final victim is returned home safely,” Oibe said.
The chairman of the NOSCEF denounced the kidnapping and criticized the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of the Kajuru Local Government Council for their initial denial of the incident, calling their response regrettable and preventable.
Sani calls for coordinated action on kidnapping
Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central, has urged Nigerians to avoid politicizing the tragedy and asked for unity and shared responsibility in handling the kidnapping situation in Kajuru LGA.
Sani described the rescue of the kidnapped victims as an urgent priority and expressed confidence in the ability of the Kaduna State administration and security forces to ensure their release.
The former congressman declared, “I have no doubt that the state government and the security agencies will work diligently to secure the release of the captives.”
Sani commended Governor Sani’s security efforts while denouncing the attack, pointing out that significant progress has been made in addressing insecurity throughout the state during the previous two years.
He said, “Governor Sani has been doing a lot to secure the state in the last two years, and his efforts should be appreciated, despite this tragic incident.”
The government prioritizes public relations over life safety, according to ADC
However, in response to what it called an attempt to conceal the mass kidnapping of worshippers in Kaduba, the African Democratic Congress, or ADC, accused the Nigeria Police Force and the Kaduna State Government yesterday of putting image management before of public safety.
According to the party, the authorities’ initial denial of the incident—which was later verified following public outcry—exposed a risky pattern of hiding the truth during security emergencies, cautioning that such behavior jeopardizes rescue operations, exacerbates public trauma, and erodes public confidence in the government.
In a statement, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, criticized the federal and state administrations for what he called “denial, silence, and fatigue in the face of persistent insecurity.”
“A fundamental and serious dilemma for our nation is raised by this episode: can we trust a government whose first instinct is to conceal the truth and withhold information to save lives and enhance security?
It is not a communications blunder to purposefully deny a confirmed mass kidnapping. It is the actions of a government that prioritizes appearances over problem-solving.
The party stated, “We wonder what exactly the government was trying to hide based on credible reports that journalists, civil society actors, and independent observers were prevented from accessing affected communities.”
Beyond the immediate incident, the ADC claimed that the development revealed inconsistencies in what it called Kaduna State’s “peace approach,” pointing out that senior government figures had publicly acknowledged talks and concessions to bandits while officials moved swiftly to deny the kidnapping in order to maintain an image of calm.
“This strategy may produce short-term gains, but it is unsustainable; it is a risky gamble that encourages criminal activity while leaving law-abiding folks open to more assaults.
“The federal government’s silence is not a tactic. It only shows a government annoyed that the reality of ongoing instability in the nation is undermining the public image it aims to promote, according to Abdullahi.
The party demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the initial denial of the incident, including the roles of security and government officials involved, and called for prompt and transparent rescue operations for all abducted persons in Kurmin Wali and throughout Kaduna State.
The ADC declared, “No Nigerian should ever have to beg their government to acknowledge their suffering.”
I’m personally keeping an eye on operations—Gov. Sani
Governor Uba Sani has promised that his administration will not give up until every kidnapped individual from Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area has been safely rescued.
In a Kaduna-monitored interview with BBC Hausa, Governor Sani assured the people of Kaduna State that the government is closely collaborating with security services to obtain the release of the kidnapped victims and that he was personally keeping an eye on the current security operations.
The governor proclaimed, “I will not rest until our people are rescued.”
