Kurmin Wali: Bandits Abducted 86, Not 166, Village Head Claims

The worshippers abducted on 18th January, 2026, during a church service in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have spent 15 days in captivity.

However, 80 worshippers who deserted the community were later found in neighbouring communities.

The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, told LEADERSHIP that the community initially thought 177 worshippers had been abducted and taken to the bush by suspected bandits, but that he later discovered that 80 of those included in the 166 hostages actually deserted the village and ran to neighbouring communities during the Sunday church attack, where they took refuge.

Dan’azumi said 11 worshippers escaped on their way to the bandits’ den and returned home, leaving 166 victims.

Speaking in a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP on Sunday, Dan’azumi explained that with the discovery of the 80 worshippers in nearby villages, only 86 worshippers were actually taken to the bush and are still with the suspected bandits.

Dan’azumi further explained that the 80 worshippers in question did not escape from the bandits’ camp.

“After the attack, we first thought 177 worshippers were abducted and taken to the bush by the suspected bandits. On that very day of the attack, 11 of the worshippers escaped, leaving 166 missing residents, including worshippers. After days, one of the worshippers called and informed the community that some of them ran during the Sunday attack and are in neighbouring communities,” he said.

“We sent our youths to those locations, and they discovered that 80 worshippers during the Sunday attack escaped and ran to neighbouring villages and hid there.

“The 80 worshippers have taken refuge in those villages. They are not in one place; they are scattered across neighbouring communities. They were afraid to return, thinking the bandits had burnt down Kurmin Wali.

“We have network issues here, as communication is very difficult in many communities. It took them time to reach our home. With this discovery, the actual number of worshippers taken to the bush by bandits is 86,” Dan’azumi said.

Suspected bandits had attacked the Kurmin Wali community and whisked away dozens of worshippers from three churches — Cherubim and Seraphim 1 and 2, and Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) — in the area.

Eleven worshippers were said to have escaped and returned home with signs of trauma and injuries.

However, Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shaibu (SAN), told our correspondent on the phone that the government would verify the information before confirming the development.

Shaibu said: “We need to check and cross-check the information coming in. As I speak with you, the chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area and the member representing Kajuru–Chikun Federal Constituency have gone to the area for on-the-spot assessment and to verify the information.

“So when they return, I will be able to speak to you about the factual situation. I would not want to be in a rush to say anything now,” the commissioner stated.