Kaduna Churches Attacked: Over 100 Worshippers Abducted

Gunmen have carried out coordinated attacks on three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state, abducting more than 100 worshippers during Sunday services. Residents said the attackers, who arrived in large numbers, struck almost simultaneously, encircling worship centres and whisking away congregants. On Sunday, the assailants in large numbers, attacked the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), a Catholic church, and the Seraphim and Cherubim Church, abducting dozens of worshippers. Although the actual number of those abducted is unclear, it is believed to be well over 100. Usman Danlami Stingo, a member of the Kaduna state house of assembly, confirmed the incident to TheCable in a telephone call. “The churches were surrounded by heavily armed bandits who abducted men, women, and children during the Sunday worship,” he said. The lawmaker added that “nine of the victims managed to escape while they were being taken to the bush by the attackers”. “The community is currently conducting a headcount to determine the exact number of people still in captivity,” he said. Efforts to reach Mansir Hassan, Kaduna police command spokesperson, were unsuccessful as of the time of this report. There have been several cases of bandits’ attacks and abductions in Kaduna in recent times. In November 2025, bandits abducted Bobbo Paschal, priest of St Stephen’s parish, Kushe Gugdu, in the Kagarko LGA of the state, during an attack on the community by gunmen. The brother of Anthony Yero, a priest in the diocese, was also said to have killed during the attack, while many residents were abducted. On month before, gunmen reportedly abducted several residents in Kaduna after attacking multiple villages in two LGAs. The attackers were said to have been armed with sophisticated weapons.