KADUNA, Nigeria — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory says no fewer than 163 worshippers remain in captivity after gunmen stormed church services in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Northern CAN chairman Rev. Joseph John Hayab told journalists on Monday evening that the abductions occurred during Sunday services at Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2. Hayab said he received a distress call from CAN leaders in the area reporting that the attackers invaded while worship was ongoing, locked the gates and forced congregants into the surrounding bush.
Hayab said eight worshippers later managed to escape, but that as of Monday evening 163 people were still being held by the assailants. He urged security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure victims are returned safely.
Kaduna State Police have confirmed an abduction incident but said they were still verifying the full number of victims. Reuters reported that police said “dozens” of worshippers were taken and that security teams had been deployed as efforts continued to track the gunmen and rescue captives.
There are also varying estimates of the total number abducted. A local lawmaker, Usman Danlami Stingo, told the Associated Press that the raid was part of coordinated attacks on three churches in the community, and that 177 people were initially missing, with 11 returning, leaving 168 still unaccounted for. CAN’s figures, cited by Reuters and local reporting, put the number still held at more than 160.
No group has claimed responsibility. The attacks underscore persistent insecurity in parts of Kaduna and Nigeria’s wider North-West, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted rural communities for kidnapping-for-ransom and other violence, often exploiting difficult terrain and limited state presence.
As of Monday, there had been no detailed public briefing from Kaduna State Government officials on the Kurmin Wali incident, while rescue operations and investigations were reported to be ongoing.
