Tension as Armed Bandits Reportedly Attack 2 Churches, Kidnap over 160 Worshippers
- Over 160 worshippers have been kidnapped during an armed attack on two churches in Kaduna state
- Police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track abductors and rescue captives after the church attack
- The CAN chairman in the north said nine worshippers escaped, leaving 163 still missing from the bandits' attack
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Kaduna state - Armed bandits attacked and kidnapped more than 160 worshippers from two churches in Kurmin Wali, a forest community in Afogo ward, Kaduna state.
The gunmen armed with "sophisticated weapons" attacked the two churches at about 11:25 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Source: Facebook
The state police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, an assistant superintendent of police, said officers were still trying to confirm how many people were taken away.
As reported by Reuters, Hassan made this known on Monday, January 19, 2026.
A senior church leader said those missing are more than 160.
A police spokesperson said the area was remote and difficult to reach due to bad roads.
He added that it is challenging to obtain reliable information in the immediate aftermath of such attacks.
The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the north, Reverend John Hayab, said the gunmen kidnapped 172 worshippers, but nine later escaped, leaving 163 still in their den.
"Information came to me from the elders of the churches that one hundred and seventy‑two worshippers were abducted while nine escaped."
According to the Police PRO, troops and other security agencies had been deployed to the area.
Hassan further stated that efforts were underway to track the abductors and rescue the captives.
The northwest region has experienced a surge in mass kidnappings by armed gangs operating from forest enclaves, attacking villages, schools, and places of worship.
Source: Original
Bandits attack church, kidnap pastor, wife, worshippers
Recall that gunmen attacked the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State
The armed bandits attacked the worshippers during church service on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
It was gathered that the community was thrown into chaos following the bandits' attack on the church.
Read more stories on bandit attacks:
- Kwara Church Attack: Eyewitness Recounts What Happened to Members Who Hid Behind Altar
- Bandits Attack Kwara Church, Kill Three and Abduct Worshippers, Pastor Narrates What He Saw
- Kwara: Chilling Video of Bandits’ Attack on Worshippers in Church Surfaces as People Killed
- Kwara Church Attack: Nigerian Police, DSS Make Arrests
- Woman Narrates Escape From Bandits During Kwara Church Attack, Story Trends: "I Slept In The Bush."
- Kwara: Ex-Muslim Man Who Saw Video of Church Attack Shares Heartbreaking Observations, People React
Bandits attack ECWA Church during service, kidnap worshipers
Legit.ng also reported that armed bandits attacked an ECWA church in Àaaaz-Kiri during Sunday service, killing at least one worshipper and abducting several others.
Gunmen carried out coordinated raids on Illai, Okeagi, and Jamroro communities, killing three persons and kidnapping residents in early morning attacks.
Senator Sunday Karimi condemned the violence and called for urgent federal and state intervention as communities fled their homes in fear.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
