Bandits have abducted more than 160 worshippers during coordinated attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, witnesses said on Sunday.
The attackers reportedly struck during church services, targeting the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and the Cherubim and Seraphim churches. Sources said nine vulnerable victims later managed to return home, while scores of others remain in captivity.
Confirming the incident, the Northern Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, described the attack as “sad,” noting that about 172 worshippers were initially abducted, with nine escaping and 163 still held by the attackers.
He said the church was working with security agencies and the government to secure the victims’ release, expressing confidence in ongoing efforts to restore peace in the state. As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Government and the police had yet to issue official statements on the incident.