Over 160 worshippers were kidnapped in twin attacks on churches in Kaduna, Nigeria, on Sunday, January 18. A senior church leader reported that armed gangs targeted the congregations during services, the latest in a series of ransom-driven abductions.
This incident marks the latest in a wave of mass abductions sweeping Nigeria, where armed groups—locally referred to as ‘bandits’—systematically target both Christian and Muslim communities. These gangs frequently strike northern and central regions to extort ransom payments.
Witnesses described Sunday’s assault as a coordinated strike, reporting that gunmen wielding ‘sophisticated weapons’ stormed two churches in Kurmin Wali, a remote forest community in Afogo ward. The attack began at approximately 11:25 a.m. local time, catching worshippers mid-service.
Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern States), told AFP on Monday that the assailants arrived in significant numbers, blockading church exits before forcibly herding worshippers into the surrounding bushland.
Speaking to Reuters, Hayab added: “Information came to me from the elders of the churches that 172 worshippers were abducted while nine escaped.”
In a crisis that captured global attention, over 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school last November. While the victims were eventually released in two successive groups, the event remains a harrowing hallmark of the recent surge in regional kidnappings.
This has evolved into a structured, multibillion-naira industry. In the last year alone, reports indicate over 4,700 people were abducted, with billions paid in ransom. Recent major incidents include the kidnapping of over 160 worshippers from two churches in Kaduna State on January 18, 2026.
However, analysts contend that systemic corruption, fragmented intelligence sharing, and chronic underfunding of local law enforcement remain the primary obstacles to resolving these crises.
As mass abductions reached a fever pitch, Nigeria’s top defence official abruptly resigned last month. While the President’s office officially attributed the departure to medical reasons, the timing—amidst a nationwide security state of emergency—has sparked significant public debate.
However, in a bold Christmas Day intervention, U.S. forces launched cruise missiles at two extremist strongholds in northwest Nigeria. The unprecedented operation followed warnings from the Trump administration against the targeted killing of civilians, signaling a more aggressive U.S. posture toward militant groups in the Sahel.
President Trump has drawn a line in the sand, warning of more ‘many-time strikes’ if violence against Nigeria’s Christian population continues. Following a significant Christmas Day operation, the President signaled that future U.S. intervention hinges on the protection of religious minorities from extremist slaughter.
With over 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria reflects a religious split between the north and south, yet the ‘Middle Belt’ remains a melting pot. Government officials emphasize that the current security crisis transcends religion, leaving no faith untouched by the violence.
Responding to the warnings from Washington, Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry signaled a desire for continued cooperation rather than confrontation. Spokesperson Alkasim Abdulkadir pushed back against the narrative of sectarian neglect, insisting that the government is ‘committed to protecting all citizens’ regardless of their faith.
The Nigeria Police Force has officially dismissed reports alleging the abduction of over 160 individuals. In a Tuesday interview with BBC Hausa, State Spokesperson DSP Mansur Hassan confirmed that after a multi-agency sweep of the area—including consultations with the community chief and local government chairman—there is no evidence of a kidnapping. While Hassan acknowledged the inherent dangers posed by the local forest terrain, he challenged anyone with proof or missing relatives to come forward.
