iDeemlawfulThe identities of 177 worshippers abducted from churches in Kaduna State have been made public.
Armed men invaded three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, during Sunday worship, seizing congregants from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Churches 1 and 2). Locals reported that over 100 people were taken during the coordinated assault.
The attack occurred barely a week after the community reportedly paid ₦2.6 million to secure the release of 20 residents abducted earlier, heightening anxiety among residents.
On Monday, the Kaduna State Police Command initially dismissed the abduction reports, describing them as untrue and daring those making the claims to present the victims’ names.
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However, a subsequent police situation report confirmed that gunmen stormed the churches during service and abducted worshippers to an undisclosed location.
According to the report, the attack happened at about 11:25 a.m. on Sunday, though security agencies were notified later. Police said access to the area was challenging due to poor roads and nearby forests, but rescue operations were launched in collaboration with other security agencies and the military.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N) also insisted that the abductions occurred, alleging that security personnel blocked its team from accessing the community during a fact-finding mission.
On Wednesday morning, a comprehensive list containing the names of 177 abducted worshippers emerged. A review of the list shows that entire families were taken, leaving Kurmin Wali traumatised and largely deserted as fear grips the farming settlement.
Several households lost parents, children and relatives in the same raid. Affected families include:
Jonathan family – 12 members
Amos family – 13 members
Markus/Makudi family – 10 members
Ishaya family – 7 members
Danisa family – 7 members
Bawa family – 6 members
Danjuma family – 5 members
Musa family – 5 members
Several other families lost four, three or two members during the attack.
The list also revealed that the oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is Salvation Idris, aged six.
Other abducted children include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds, including Sussana Idris, Synthah Amos, Hezibah Jonathan and Hezikaiah Jonathan.
Others abducted:
- Zahaya Joshua
- Nabilah Makudi
- Hajara Makudi
- Rebecca Hosea
- Ahmad Ahmad
- Liyu Ezekiel
- Vivian Ezekiel
- Goodluck Ezekiel
- Beauty Ezekiel
- Matina Maiyashi
- Bridget Maiyashi
- Vivian Linus
- Mary Amos
- Hamid Amos
- Patricia Amos
- Hamisu Amos
- Luka Amos
- Tacy Amos
- Cynthia Amos (guessed)
- Mercy Isaac
- Augustine Makudi
- Matthew Samaila
- Adam Musa
- Malika Sule
- Abu Ahmad
- Hussein Lucky (guessed)
- Akinyi Sadiu
- Dangata Amos
- Helen Jonathan
- Asinwa Jonathan
- Faith Joseph
- Gloria Kennet
- Happiness Danisa
- Fidelis Jacob
- Tobias Markus
- Istu Paul
- Hassana Paul
- Charity Chindo
- Christiana Danisa
- Everest Danima
- Thomas Philip
- Catrina Danbosi
- Halima Hassan
- Hassan Lukumi
- Mary Sadiu
- Franca John
- Henry Danbiyi
- Genesis Lawal
- Ayuba Lawal
- Solomon Ayuba
- Theophilus Danlami (guessed)
- Charles Sambo
- Rahila Charles
- Gambo Danisa
- Talent Danisa
- Nehemiah Danjuma
- Maijima Shekarau
- Matina Maijima
- Laraba Maijima
- Musa Danjuma
- Ishaya Danima
- Lulu Danisa
- Clement Ahmad
- Destiny Ahmad
- Nehemiah Ishaya
- Simon Ishaya
- Nasty Muku
- Helena Joseph
- Joseph Bawa
- Sarah Joseph
- Bulus Mariya
- Musa Samaila
- Bulus Bawa
- Halima Bawa
- Beture Hosea
- Sati Hosea
- Titus John
- Dogara Bawa
- Lories Bawa
- Adamu Aminu
- Ezekiel Adamu
- Tenah Markus
- Tina Danbosi
- Patricio Bawa
- Janet Tsuda
- Amina Danjuma
- Sandra Danbosi
- Bridget Sunday
- Saphat Innocent (guessed)
- Alex Sunday
- Beauty Peter
- Samisa Paul
- Joy Joseph
- Methole Johanna
- Genesis Johanna
- Maria Johanna
- Merozdu Adonu
- Karimi Jangbe
- Sunday Martela
- Santina Hershinga
- Keuna Michael
- Hassan Bulus
- Marzeta Maisoni
- Mainwa Dominic
- Godwin Karimi
- Amos Akijo
- Nathan Amos
- Joseph Chindo
- Lydia Godwin
- Hamna Maiyangi
- Toletu Maiyangi
- Esther Godday
- Godswill Godday
- Godlive Samson
- Goodluck Aliga
- Madaki Tabawa
- Tabawa Abba
- Tabawa Iyamye
- Samuel Amos
- Daniel Amos
- Deborah Amos
- Ruth Amos
- Emmanuel Danjuma
- Joshua Danjuma
- Rejoice Danisa
- Blessing Danisa
- Ibrahim Lawal
- Zainab Lawal
- Sadiq Ahmad
- Aisha Ahmad
- Yakubu Musa
- Suleiman Musa
- Rahama Musa
- Daniel Jonathan
- Samuel Jonathan
- Peter Jonathan
- Grace Jonathan