KADUNA, Nigeria — Nigerian police have confirmed that worshippers were abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali village, Kaduna state, after initially issuing a statement that appeared to deny the incident. The reversal has sparked outrage among residents and rights groups, who accuse authorities of downplaying the scale of Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis.
The Attack
Eyewitnesses say the assault began around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, when armed men surrounded the village during church services. Worshippers were gathered together and forced to march into the bush.
Local residents told the BBC that 177 people were abducted, though 11 later escaped. The attack targeted three churches: two belonging to the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church and one from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
One eyewitness recalled: “Some people tried to run, but they couldn’t because the armed men had surrounded the village.”
Police Response and Denial
Initially, Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu dismissed reports of the abduction as “mere falsehood” spread by “conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos.” Local government chairman Dauda Madaki also claimed there was “no evidence of the attack,” citing visits to the churches and conversations with village leaders.
However, on Tuesday night, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin acknowledged the abductions, saying earlier statements had been “widely misinterpreted.” He explained that the initial response was “not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field.”
Hundeyin confirmed that security forces have been deployed to the area and that search‑and‑rescue operations are underway.
Amnesty International’s Criticism
Rights group Amnesty International condemned the authorities’ handling of the incident, describing the initial denial as “desperate.” In a statement, Amnesty said: “Authorities must also take immediate and concrete measures to prevent rampant abductions that are gradually becoming the norm in Nigeria.”
The group’s criticism reflects broader frustration with Nigeria’s security apparatus, which has struggled to contain a surge in kidnappings across the country.
A Pattern of Mass Abductions
The Kaduna attack is the latest in a string of high‑profile kidnappings. In November 2025, more than 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school in neighboring Niger state. They were later released in two groups, but the incident drew international headlines and highlighted the vulnerability of schools and churches.
Kidnappings for ransom have become widespread in Nigeria’s northwest and north‑central regions, often carried out by criminal gangs operating from forest hideouts. Victims include schoolchildren, worshippers, travelers, and farmers.
Nigeria’s Security Challenges
Nigeria faces multiple overlapping crises:
- Banditry and kidnappings in the northwest and north‑central regions.
- Islamist insurgency in the northeast, led by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
- Separatist violence in the southeast.
- Farmer‑herder clashes in the central belt over land and water access.
Experts say corruption, poor intelligence sharing, and underfunded local policing have hampered efforts to tackle these challenges.
International Dimension
The crisis has drawn international attention. On Christmas Day 2025, the United States launched airstrikes on two Islamist militant camps in north‑western Nigeria. US President Donald Trump later warned of further strikes if attacks on Christians continued.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry responded by emphasizing that the government is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith. Spokesman Alkasim Abdulkadir said: “Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination.”
Outlook
The confirmation of the Kaduna abductions underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s security environment. While police now admit the incident occurred, the initial denial has damaged public trust and raised questions about transparency.
For residents of Kurmin Wali, the priority remains the safe return of abducted worshippers. For Nigeria as a whole, the attack is another reminder of the urgent need to strengthen security institutions, improve intelligence, and address the root causes of violence.
Until then, communities across the country will continue to live under the shadow of abductions, unsure whether authorities can protect them — or even acknowledge their plight.