How Gunmen Abducted Over 100 Worshippers During Sunday Services in Kaduna

Fear and confusion swept through Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday after over 100 worshippers were abducted by gunmen during church services in a well-coordinated attack on three churches.

According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, moving swiftly and strategically, striking the churches almost simultaneously while services were ongoing. Worshippers, including men, women and youths, were reportedly forced out of the church premises and marched into the surrounding bushes before help could arrive.

Residents said the operation appeared highly organised, suggesting prior surveillance of the churches and knowledge of service times. The attackers reportedly blocked access roads to delay any immediate intervention, giving them enough time to escape with their victims.

The incident has once again exposed the growing insecurity in Southern Kaduna, where communities have repeatedly suffered attacks, kidnappings and mass abductions despite military presence in the region.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as church members fled in different directions, while families were left in anguish, desperately searching for information about their loved ones.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to release an official statement, but sources confirmed that joint security operations had been launched to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

Community leaders have called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to urgently reinforce security in vulnerable rural areas, warning that continued silence and slow response could embolden criminal groups.

The attack adds to the rising wave of mass abductions in northern Nigeria, where worship centres, schools and highways have increasingly become soft targets for armed groups.