Tension as Armed Bandits Attack 2 Churches, Kidnap Over 160 Worshippers
- Over 160 worshippers have been kidnapped during armed attack on two churches in Kaduna State
- Police confired that efforts are ongoing to track abductors and rescue captives after church attack
- The CAN chiarman 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.
The state police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said 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 under way to track the abductors and rescue the captives.
Bandits attack church, Kidnap pastor, wife, worshippers
Recall athat 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.
Bandits attack ECWA Church during service, kidnap worshipers
Legit.ng also reported that arme 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.
Source: Legit.ng
