What should have been a peaceful Sunday morning of worship in southern Kaduna quickly spiraled into fear and uncertainty.
Families gathered in church, expecting prayers and fellowship, not violence.
But by the end of the day, dozens of homes were left waiting for loved ones who never returned.
CSW Raises the Alarm Over Mass Abduction
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights organization, is now urging Nigerian authorities to act swiftly after reports that 167 worshippers were abducted during coordinated attacks on three churches in Kurmin Wali, a community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a report shared on Tuesday, January 20, with ACI Africa, CSW strongly condemned the attacks, which reportedly happened on Sunday, January 18, while church services were ongoing.
Access Blocked as Questions Mount
CSW revealed that its Nigeria-based staff attempted to reach Kurmin Wali to independently verify what happened.
Those efforts, however, were reportedly stopped by the military, which cited standing orders preventing access to the area.
This development has raised red flags for CSW’s leadership.
Founder and President Mervyn Thomas said the organization is deeply troubled by what he described as attempts to downplay or obscure the scale of the abductions and to silence residents who might speak to the media.
Calls for Transparency and Urgent Action
Thomas called on both state and federal authorities to use every available means to secure the release of those taken in Kurmin Wali, along with others currently held by armed groups across Nigeria’s central and northern regions.
He also stressed that the government must be honest about the depth of the security crisis, particularly the disproportionate targeting of Christian communities, warning that without transparency, any response to terrorism will remain ineffective.
How the Attacks Unfolded
According to CSW’s findings, armed attackers believed to be Fulani militia entered Kurmin Wali around 9 a.m., moving on foot and by motorcycle.
They reportedly split into three groups and stormed:
- Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA)
- Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim Church
- Haske Cherubim and Seraphim Church
Worshippers were allegedly rounded up and forced into nearby bushland. Elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 people managed to escape. As of January 20, CSW said 167 people were still being held captive.
A Community Under Years of Pressure
CSW’s report paints a grim picture of life for the Adara people of Kajuru LGA, who have endured years of violence.
The situation worsened after their traditional ruler, Agom Adara III, HRH Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, was abducted and murdered in 2018, despite a ransom being paid.
Kurmin Wali itself has suffered repeated attacks. Just days earlier, on January 11, 2026, 21 residents were abducted and later freed only after a ransom of about 7 million naira was paid.
Clergy Also Targeted in Earlier Attacks
The violence has not spared church leaders.
CSW recalled that on January 2, ECWA pastor Rev. Philip Adamu was among four people abducted from Ungwan Danladi village in Kajuru LGA.
The attackers reportedly spoke Fulfude and later demanded 20 million naira for Rev. Adamu’s release and 10 million naira for each of the other captives.
Ransom Payments Deepen Poverty
CSW described the recurring kidnappings as a serious failure of government responsibility.
The organization warned that constant ransom payments and displacement are pushing already struggling rural communities further into poverty.
While acknowledging recent military gains against armed groups, CSW’s CEO, Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu, condemned the ongoing attacks on Kurmin Wali and nearby villages.
He urged security agencies to ensure the immediate release of all abductees and to strengthen protection for other vulnerable areas.
Strengthening Local Defense and Accountability
Nmadu also called on the government to empower local communities to serve as a first line of defense, noting that terrorists appear increasingly emboldened by each abduction that goes unchallenged.
Terrorist Designation, But Lingering Doubts
These latest attacks come despite the Nigerian government’s decision in December 2025 to designate Fulani militia and other armed groups as terrorist organizations under a new counterterrorism framework.
CSW said the continued wave of abductions raises serious concerns about how effectively those measures are being enforced and whether civilians are truly being protected.
A Troubling Regional Pattern
CSW also pointed to developments in neighboring Kogi State, where 24 out of 30 worshippers abducted in December 2025 were eventually released after a ransom was paid.
Six people remain in captivity, and several others reportedly died while being held.
What Comes Next?
As families wait anxiously for news, pressure is mounting on Nigerian authorities to act decisively.
For CSW, the message is clear: without transparency, accountability, and concrete security measures, communities like Kurmin Wali will remain trapped in a cycle of fear, loss, and unanswered prayers.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn