Controversy Surrounds Reported Mass Kidnapping in Kaduna, Nigeria
Reports have surfaced from Kaduna state, Nigeria, alleging the kidnapping of numerous Christian worshippers by suspected Fulani militias during Sunday church services. Discrepancies in the number of abducted individuals have added to the confusion, with figures ranging from 100 to 177. However, state authorities have denied any such incident.
The abductions reportedly occurred in the village of Kurmin Wali, located in Kajuru County, during simultaneous attacks on three churches. Usman Danlami Stingo, a state parliament representative, claimed that 177 people were seized, with 11 managing to escape. Meanwhile, Felix Bagudu from the House of Representatives suggested the number was closer to 100.
Rev. Joseph John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria, stated that 172 Christians were taken, but nine later escaped. He described receiving distress calls from church leaders reporting that “the terrorists invaded the churches while worship services were on. They held the worshippers hostage and marched them out into the bushes.”
The attacks took place in Afago ward, about eight miles south of Maro, where survivors claim camps hold numerous captives. Eyewitnesses identified the attackers as armed members of the Fulani ethnic group. One ECWA church member who escaped described how gunmen arrived around 10 a.m., shooting and forcing congregants to lie down before marching them away.
Among the assailants, some wore black robes and turbans, while others donned makeshift Nigerian Army uniforms. This attack has raised alarms, with Pastor Kenneth Ononeze questioning, “What’s federal and state government doing to rescue them? Are they still living in denial that Christian genocide is not going on?”
Despite these claims, Kaduna state police have refuted the reports. Commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu stated, “The story is a mere falsehood. Anyone who claims people were kidnapped should come forward with names and particulars.”
Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW) has countered the police’s denial by presenting a preliminary list of abducted individuals to The New York Times. Attempts to investigate the situation were thwarted by military and government roadblocks, according to CSW representatives.
Local and international pressure mounts on the Nigerian government to address ongoing violence against Christians. The U.S. government has previously intervened, ordering airstrikes against militants in the region. Reports indicate Fulani herdsmen and associated groups have been responsible for more civilian deaths than Boko Haram and ISWAP combined over a four-year period.
The Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) and associated groups are believed to be significant contributors to the violence, as noted in an Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) report. The report states that FEM’s impact on violence in Nigeria surpasses that of other extremist factions.
Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List highlights Nigeria as the most perilous country for Christians, with 3,490 Christians killed for their faith from October 2024 to September 2025, a significant rise from the previous year. The situation remains dire, with radical elements within the Fulani population adopting strategies similar to those of Boko Haram, targeting Christian communities and symbols.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
