Bandits Demand N250m, 20 Motorcycles To Release 177 Abducted Kaduna Worshippers

The Kurmin Wali Village Head, Ishaku Dan’azumi, has disclosed that the bandits who kidnapped about 177 worshippers on Sunday, January 17, 2026, in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State, have demanded N250m and 20 motorcycles as ransom to release the kidnap victims.

The three affected churches in the area were Cherubim and Seraphim 1 and 2 as well as Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).

The Village Head Dan’azumi had stated last week that the bandits accused the community of stealing 17 motorcycles, which they allegedly lost during military operations in Kajuru local government area of the State.

Dan’azumi had said the attackers further accused the community of also removing some parts of the remaining motorcycles.

Speaking with our correspondent on telephone on Monday evening, Dan’azumi revealed the bandits’ demands, saying; “The bandits called and said Kurmin Wali community should pay them N250 million and 20 motorcycles before they will release the kidnapped worshippers.”

The over 100 abducted Kurmin Wali worshippers were yet to be rescued nine days after they were kidnapped on January 17, 2026, during church service.

Although, security and government officials said efforts were ongoing to rescue them unharm.

One of the security operatives who spoke with LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity said the location of the abductees was identified as the suspected bandits were said to be keeping them as human shields to prevent airstrikes on their camp, adding that, “The security team comprising of operatives from all security agencies are working round the clock to rescue them safe.”

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan. did not respond to phone calls placed to his know mobile phone as at press time.