Kaduna: Names of 177 Abducted Worshippers Released

The identities of 177 worshippers abducted during Sunday services at ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been released.

The victims were taken during coordinated attacks on the churches while services were in progress. The released names show that many of those abducted belong to the same households, with entire families taken at once. Residents say the abductions have left Kurmin Wali largely deserted, with survivors fleeing to neighbouring communities for safety.

The attack occurred barely one week after the community reportedly paid N2.6 million ransom to secure the release of 20 residents abducted earlier. Despite initial denials by government officials and security agencies, a police situation report confirmed that the incident took place.

According to the report, information was received at about 5:45 p.m. on Sunday indicating that armed attackers struck the churches around 11:25 a.m., firing sporadically and forcing worshippers to flee into nearby forests. The report stated that the area is difficult to access due to poor road conditions and that security forces, including the military, were mobilised to the scene. Investigations were said to have commenced, with efforts ongoing to rescue the victims.

By Monday, Kurmin Wali was largely empty. Those who escaped reportedly sustained injuries while fleeing, and communication with many residents has been difficult due to poor network coverage and lost mobile phones.

An analysis of the names shows that several families lost multiple members. The Jonathan family reportedly had 12 members abducted, the Amos family 13, Markus/Makudi 10, Ishaya and Danisa families seven each, the Bawa family six, while the Danjuma and Musa families lost five members each. Other families had between two and four members taken. The oldest listed victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is six-year-old Salvation Idris.

Rights groups have criticised official denials of the incident. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) said its team was prevented by military personnel from accessing Kurmin Wali shortly after the attack, despite identifying themselves. The organisation stated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, divided into groups, and targeted the churches simultaneously. CSW-N added that some elderly women and children were later released, while others escaped, leaving a large number still in captivity at the time of its engagement with community sources.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, accused security agencies of failing to pursue the attackers promptly, arguing that immediate action could have prevented the victims from being taken far from the community.

International reactions have also followed. A United States lawmaker, Rep. Riley Moore, described the abduction as disturbing and called on Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe return of the victims. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and urging decisive action to address insecurity.

Meanwhile, before the Kajuru attack, bandits reportedly struck Kujama community in southern Kaduna earlier on Sunday, abducting a nursing mother, another woman, and a child. Relatives said the kidnappers demanded a total ransom of N150 million and warned families against contacting security agencies. The Kaduna State Police Command said it was looking into the reports.

Below is the full list of the 177 abducted worshippers as released:

41. Zahaya Joshua

42. Nabilah Makudi

43. Hajara Makudi

44. Rebecca Hosea

45. Ahmad Ahmad

46. Liyu Ezekiel

47. Vivian Ezekiel

48. Goodluck Ezekiel

49. Beauty Ezekiel

50. Matina Maiyashi

51. Bridget Maiyashi

52. Vivian Linus

53. Mary Amos

54. Hamid Amos

55. Patricia Amos

56. Hamisu Amos

57. Luka Amos

58. Tacy Amos

59. Cynthia Amos

60. Mercy Isaac

61. Augustine Makudi

62. Matthew Samaila

63. Adam Musa

64. Malika Sule

65. Abu Ahmad

66. Hussein Lucky

67. Akinyi Sadiu

68. Dangata Amos

69. Helen Jonathan

70. Asinwa Jonathan

71. Faith Joseph

72. Gloria Kennet

73. Happiness Danisa

74. Fidelis Jacob

75. Tobias Markus

76. Istu Paul

77. Hassana Paul

78. Charity Chindo

79. Christiana Danisa

80. Everest Danima

81. Thomas Philip

82. Catrina Danbosi

83. Halima Hassan

84. Hassan Lukumi

85. Mary Sadiu

86. Franca John

87. Henry Danbiyi

88. Genesis Lawal

89. Ayuba Lawal

90. Solomon Ayuba

91. Theophilus Danlami

92. Charles Sambo

93. Rahila Charles

94. Gambo Danisa

95. Talent Danisa

96. Nehemiah Danjuma

97. Maijima Shekarau

98. Matina Maijima

99. Laraba Maijima

100. Musa Danjuma

101. Ishaya Danima

102. Lulu Danisa

103. Clement Ahmad

104. Destiny Ahmad

105. Nehemiah Ishaya

106. Simon Ishaya

107. Nasty Muku

108. Helena Joseph

109. Joseph Bawa

110. Sarah Joseph

111. Bulus Mariya

112. Musa Samaila

113. Bulus Bawa

114. Halima Bawa

115. Beture Hosea

116. Sati Hosea

117. Titus John

118. Dogara Bawa

119. Lories Bawa

120. Adamu Aminu

121. Ezekiel Adamu

122. Tenah Markus

123. Tina Danbosi

124. Patricio Bawa

125. Janet Tsuda

126. Amina Danjuma

127. Sandra Danbosi

128. Bridget Sunday

129. Saphat Innocent

130. Alex Sunday

131. Beauty Peter

132. Samisa Paul

133. Joy Joseph

134. Methole Johanna

135. Genesis Johanna

136. Maria Johanna

137. Merozdu Adonu

138. Karimi Jangbe

139. Sunday Martela

140. Santina Hershinga

141. Keuna Michael

142. Hassan Bulus

143. Marzeta Maisoni

144. Mainwa Dominic

145. Godwin Karimi

146. Amos Akijo

147. Nathan Amos

148. Joseph Chindo

149. Lydia Godwin

150. Hamna Maiyangi

151. Toletu Maiyangi

152. Esther Godday

153. Godswill Godday

154. Godlive Samson

155. Goodluck Aliga

156. Madaki Tabawa

157. Tabawa Abba

158. Tabawa Iyamye

159. Samuel Amos

160. Daniel Amos

161. Deborah Amos

162. Ruth Amos

163. Emmanuel Danjuma

164. Joshua Danjuma

165. Rejoice Danisa

166. Blessing Danisa

167. Ibrahim Lawal

168. Zainab Lawal

169. Sadiq Ahmad

170. Aisha Ahmad

171. Yakubu Musa

172. Suleiman Musa

173. Rahama Musa

174. Daniel Jonathan

175. Samuel Jonathan

176. Peter Jonathan

177. Grace Jonathan