iDeemlawfulBandits who abducted Christian worshippers from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have demanded ₦28.9 million for 17 motorcycles they claim were lost during recent military operations before ransom talks can begin.
Community leaders and family members said the abductors insisted that each motorcycle is valued at ₦1.7 million and that the full amount must be paid before they disclose any ransom demand for the captives.
On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches during morning worship in Kurmin Wali.
About 177 worshippers were initially taken during the coordinated attacks, but 11 later escaped, leaving 166 people, including women and children, still in captivity.
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The incident triggered widespread panic in the community as news of the abductions spread.
However, on Monday, the Kaduna State Government, the Kaduna State Police Command and the chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area denied the reports.
The denial angered residents and church leaders, particularly after the Chairman of the Northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, confirmed the abduction to journalists in Kaduna.
Residents said the initial denial deepened their trauma and left families feeling abandoned during a critical period.
The community was still recovering from an earlier attack on January 11, 2026, when suspected armed Fulani militia abducted several residents from the same area.
A villager, Linus Abu, said those abducted on January 11 were released only after the community paid ₦23 million as ransom.
“We paid ₦23 million as ransom before those kidnapped on January 11 were released,” Abu said. “The terrorists called and gave instructions. Some of our people carried the money in sacks into the bush.”
Abu explained that unlike the earlier incident, the abductors of the January 18 victims have not demanded ransom for the 166 captives.
Instead, he said they are insisting that the community pay for motorcycles allegedly lost during military operations.
According to him, the bandits claimed 17 motorcycles went missing and accused villagers of stealing them.
“They said each bike costs ₦1.7m and we must pay for all of them before they will demand the actual ransom,” he said.
This would require the community to raise about ₦28.9 million solely for the motorcycles, separate from any future ransom demand.
The village head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed that the bandits contacted a negotiator acting on behalf of the community and demanded the return or replacement of the motorcycles.
Dan’azumi said the kidnappers called the negotiator on Wednesday and insisted that all 17 motorcycles must be returned before the captives could be released.
He added that the bandits accused villagers of tampering with some of the motorcycles by removing carburetors and spark plugs.
“Apart from the issue of the motorcycles and replacement of some parts, they have not asked for money,” Dan’azumi said.
He noted that the mass abduction appeared linked to ongoing military operations against bandit camps in parts of Kajuru Local Government Area.
Amid growing criticism, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, visited Kurmin Wali on Wednesday under heavy security.
The governor arrived around 3pm and left about 6pm, during which he sympathised with residents and assured them of the government’s commitment to securing the release of the abducted worshippers.
Sani said he observed that some residents were injured and pledged state support for those affected.
He explained that security agencies needed time to properly assess the situation, noting that the Inspector-General of Police issued a statement after investigations began.
“In the last two days, we have been working closely with the military, the Department of State Services, the police and the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure the quick recovery of our people,” he said.
He stressed that the government’s actions were guided by the protection of human lives, not politics or statistics.