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On Sunday, 18 January, armed men attacked three churches in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria, kidnapping 177 worshippers. Sources close to the community share that they’ve been kidnapped for ransom. 

The mass kidnapping took place around 9 a.m. when armed men on motorcycles and on foot targeted three ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All) churches in the Kurmin Wali community in the Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

Southern Kaduna is a Christian-majority area and has been severely impacted by the insecurity.

Locals share that elderly women and young children were released, while others were able to escape. 177 people are recorded to have been kidnapped. Local journalists have tried to gain access to the community but have been blocked by soldiers.

Despite the local government denying the attack and kidnapping happening, the community has documented the names of people who have been taken and shared them with a journalist.

A local contact shared that, like other surrounding communities, Kurmin Wali has repeatedly suffered attacks and kidnappings. On 11 January 2026, 21 people were kidnapped from the community and were only freed after paying about 7 million Naira, which is roughly around $5,000 USD.

Other kidnappings have also taken place over the last few years. The repeated abductions have led to several communities around Kurmin Wali to abandon their homes and move to safer areas, the local contact shared.

On 25 December 2025, the United States, with support from the Nigerian government, launched airstrikes on Jabo, a rural community in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The airstrike reportedly targeted ISIS extremists. Since then, the Nigerian government has vowed to intensify its fight against the growing insecurity.

Statement from the Field

“The insecurity northern Nigerians face should be addressed with urgency and transparency. It is shocking that yet another mass abduction has taken place despite the government’s assurance of protection,” shares Jo Newhouse*, spokesperson for the work of Open Doors in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Christian communities in southern Kaduna State already face heightened vulnerability as a result of state neglect. Their circumstances are now exacerbated through repeated targeting.

“While it is not always clear who the perpetrators are or what their exact motives are, the result is the Christians’ impoverishment, fear, and upliftment. And ultimately these hamper the Church’s ability to fulfil the Great Commission.

“We call on the Kaduna government to do everything in its power to rescue these 177 people and to bring perpetrators to book.”

Please pray:

• Pray for those who have been kidnapped and for their safe return.
• Pray for the Nigerian government, that it will do everything in its power to protect its citizens, irrespective of religion, tribe, or language.
• Christians are emotionally and spiritually exhausted by the ongoing insecurity. Pray for God to renew the strength of the Church and help them keep their eyes fixed on Him. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.

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Republished with thanks to Open Doors.