Bandits Demand ₦28.9m for ‘Lost’ Motorcycles Before Ransom Talks for 166 Abducted Christian Worshippers in Kaduna

In a shocking escalation of insecurity in southern Kaduna, bandits who abducted 166 Christian worshippers from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area have demanded ₦28.9 million as compensation for 17 motorcycles they claim were lost during recent military operations. This payment, the abductors insist, must be made before any negotiations can begin for the actual ransom to secure the release of the captives, including women and children.

The mass abduction occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when armed gunmen stormed three churches—Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and another local denomination—during morning services around 9 a.m. Witnesses described the attackers, wielding AK-47 rifles, as moving with precision, surrounding the churches and herding worshippers into groups before marching them into the surrounding forests. A total of 177 individuals were initially taken, but 11 managed to escape during the trek, leaving 166 in captivity.

Community leaders and residents revealed that the bandits contacted a negotiator, accusing villagers of stealing the motorcycles and tampering with parts like carburettors and spark plugs. “They said each bike is worth ₦1.7m, and we must pay for all of them before they will demand the actual ransom for the hostages,” said Linus Abu, a local villager who spoke to reporters. The village head, Ishaku Dan’azumi, who himself escaped after being abducted along with his family, confirmed the demands in a telephone interview. “They called the negotiator and said that 17 of their motorcycles disappeared. They insisted that all the motorcycles must be returned before they will release our people,” he stated, adding that no monetary ransom for the victims has been requested yet.

This incident marks the second attack on Kurmin Wali in just over a week. On January 11, bandits kidnapped several residents, demanding and receiving ₦23 million in ransom before their release. “We paid ₦23m as ransom before those kidnapped on January 11 were released,” Abu recounted. “The terrorists called us on the phone and gave instructions. Some of our people had to carry the money in sacks and take it to them inside the bush.”

The community is now gripped by fear, with residents fleeing to neighboring villages, farms left untended, schools shut indefinitely, and the local market deserted. “There is no going to school, no going to farm. Most of us have run away. We cannot stay here anymore,” said Hasan Emman, a local farmer. “Right now, everyone is unsettled. We don’t even know where to start. How can we negotiate when we are all scattered and afraid?”

Church officials provided harrowing accounts of the attack. Yunana Dauji, secretary of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, said the assailants surrounded two branches of the church and threatened anyone attempting to escape. “They forced worshippers to march from one church to another, gathering over 50 people from our denomination alone before leading everyone away,” he explained. Joseph Bawa, secretary of the ECWA church, added: “They gathered people from different churches and marched all of us together into the forest.” Some escapes occurred when the group reached a shallow river, where a few captives slowed down and fled back to the village as the bandits crossed ahead.

Military sources linked the abduction to ongoing operations that dislodged bandit camps in neighboring Kauru Local Government Area, forcing the criminals to scatter. “The assailants were forced out of their camps during intense military offensives and allegedly carried out the mass abduction while attempting to escape mounting pressure from security forces,” one source disclosed. The bandits reportedly lost logistics, including the motorcycles, in these operations, viewing the kidnapping as retaliation to compensate for their losses.

Initial responses from authorities drew criticism. The Kaduna State Government, police, and local officials dismissed early reports as false, but Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin later confirmed the abductions on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that earlier statements were “not denials but a measured response pending confirmation.” Family members expressed frustration: “Our people are suffering in the forest, and the government is saying nothing happened. Who will help us?”

Governor Uba Sani visited the community on Wednesday, vowing to collaborate with security agencies for the victims’ safe return. “In the last two days, we have been collaborating with the relevant security agencies, including the military, the DSS, the police, and the Office of National Security Adviser, to ensure the quick return and recovery of our people,” he assured residents. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the police’s initial denial as “troubling,” arguing it heightened fear and undermined eyewitness credibility.

Troops have intensified efforts, rescuing three victims in a separate operation and destroying terrorist camps in Kauru. Navy Captain I.T. Akaazua, Commandant of the 2 National Mission Force Brigade, noted: “Apart from a previous operation where about 70 terrorists were neutralised, another operation carried out on Tuesday led to the rescue of three victims, including a child.” However, challenges persist due to dense forests and rugged terrain.

This latest incident highlights persistent security issues in Kaduna, where banditry thrives amid ungoverned spaces and porous borders. Security analysts warn that dislodged fighters often target soft spots like rural communities. Residents and leaders urge sustained military pressure, more troops, and better intelligence to protect vulnerable areas and rescue the abducted.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lamented the bandits’ audacity, calling for urgent action. As negotiations stall over the motorcycle demand, the fate of the 166 worshippers remains uncertain, with the community pleading for swift intervention.