Mass kidnapping of worshippers in Kaduna churches, Nigeria, confirmed

Fulani fighter in north-central Nigeria, in a video screenshot obtained by Morning Star News. (Morning Star News)

#Fulani

Last Sunday, January 18, 2026, a group of armed Fulani terrorists stormed three churches during services in the village of Kurmin Wali, Kajuru County, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The attackers, equipped with AK-47 rifles, arrived from various directions and surrounded the worshippers who were praying.

They simultaneously attacked two churches of the Cherubim and Seraphim denomination around 9:00 AM, forcing those present to gather and then leading them to another church.

They then stormed a Sunday school class at the Evangelical Winning All Church (ECWA), shouting “Allahu Akbar,” and gathered all the hostages before taking them into the bush towards the Rijana Forest.

In total, 177 Christians were initially taken.

Eleven of them managed to escape after crossing a river, leaving 166 people still in captivity.

Survivors and church leaders reported that the attackers acted in an organized manner, dividing themselves into groups to target different churches simultaneously.

Initially, the Kaduna state government and the Nigerian Police denied the mass kidnapping, which generated controversy and criticism, especially in the face of international pressure, including from the United States, for the country to combat violence against Christians.

However, on January 20th, the Police officially confirmed the incident through Chief Superintendent Benjamin Hundeyin, explaining that the previous statements were intended to avoid panic while the facts were being verified.

Security forces were mobilized for coordinated rescue operations.

This attack adds to a worrying pattern of violence in central Nigeria, known as the Middle Belt, where Fulani militias and armed bandits have attacked Christian communities, often motivated by land disputes, desertification, and radical ideologies.

Nigeria ranks highly in religious persecution, with thousands of faith-related deaths and kidnappings in recent years.

In another recent episode in the same state, the wife and daughter of Anglican Reverend Edwin Achi, who was killed during captivity, were rescued on January 15, 2026, after being kidnapped for three months since October 2025. They are receiving medical treatment in Kaduna, and Governor Uba Sani visited the family, promising full support, including housing, education, medical expenses, and psychological assistance.

The case highlights the difficulty of accessing remote areas and the impunity that still prevails in many attacks, leaving families in anguish and Christian communities on constant alert.

Authorities say they are working to free the 166 believers who remain kidnapped.

Published in 01/21/2026 01h51

Portuguese version

Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.

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