80 abducted Christians in Kaduna reunited with their families, 86 still missing

Eighty of the 177 worshippers abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in January 2026, have escaped from captivity and reunited with their families.

The village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, disclosed this on Sunday, noting that 11 of the victims had escaped shortly after the abduction on January 18, while the remaining 80 fled more recently.

According to him, the escapees initially took refuge in neighbouring communities before returning home. The village head added that 86 worshippers are still being held by the bandits in a forest.

Dan’azumi lamented that some individuals were attempting to politicise the tragedy, even as families of the victims continue to suffer trauma.

He appealed to the government and the military to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity, adding that Kurmin Wali and surrounding villages had lived under persistent fear of bandit attacks and kidnappings.

Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, said the command would issue a comprehensive report on the incident.