The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the abduction of 177 Christians during coordinated attacks on churches in the remote Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following two days of vehement denials by state police authorities.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, targeted worshippers at three churches, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), a Cherubim and Seraphim congregation, and a Catholic Church while services were underway. Initial reports from local leaders, including state lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo, indicated that gunmen abducted 177 people, with 11 later escaping, leaving 168 still in captivity.
For two days, Kaduna State Police Commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu and other officials dismissed the reports as “mere falsehood” peddled by “conflict entrepreneurs,” insisting no evidence of the attack existed despite claims from community leaders and eyewitnesses, including village head Ishaku Dan’azumi Sarkin, who described the abductions and stated, “I am one of the people who escaped from the bandits. We all saw it happen, and anyone who says it didn’t happen is lying.”
In a press statement released on January 20, 2026, by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Nigeria Police Force acknowledged the initial uncertainty sparked by conflicting accounts during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by the Governor.
The statement reads, “Upon receiving the report, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by the Governor. During the meeting at the Government House, Kaduna, some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report, which had earlier been confirmed by the Police, and described it as false. This created uncertainty and reinforced the need for caution and thorough verification by the Police and other security agencies before making conclusive public statements on such a sensitive matter.”
It further explained, “In this context, comments made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, during a media interaction were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed. Those remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.”
The Force confirmed that subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources established the incident’s occurrence. “Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” the statement said.
In response, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the full deployment of tactical units, intensified patrols, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and other assets to Kajuru and surrounding areas. “The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities,” the statement noted.
The Police appealed for public patience and cooperation, urging reliance on official channels to avoid speculation that could jeopardize operations. “The Nigeria Police Force appeals to members of the public and the media for patience and cooperation. The public is encouraged to rely on official police communications for verified information and to avoid speculation or sensational reporting that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety,” it added.
“The Force remains fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold,” the statement concluded.
The reversal highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s security landscape, where banditry and kidnappings for ransom remain prevalent in the northwest, often targeting vulnerable rural and religious communities. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities continue search-and-rescue efforts amid heightened anxiety among residents.
