Names of 177 Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna Churches Emerge
Last update: January 21, 2026
Disclaimer: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services that we personally use and believe will add value to our readers. Your support is appreciated!
Families were abducted from ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State...
The identities of the 177 worshippers abducted from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Churches 1 and 2) in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been revealed.
Entire families were taken during the raid, leaving the agrarian community traumatised, displaced and almost deserted.
CBI News reports that the mass abduction occurred barely one week after residents reportedly paid ₦2.6 million ransom to secure the release of 20 people earlier kidnapped from the same community.
Despite initial denials by state authorities and some security agencies, a police situation report later confirmed that the attack indeed took place during Sunday church services, Vanguard reports.
According to the report, police received information about the incident at about 5:45 pm on Sunday, indicating that the assailants had struck earlier in the day.
The report stated: “Message received from DPO Kajuru indicates that on 18/01/2026 at about 1745hrs, information was received that same date at about 1125hrs that unspecified numbers of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons attacked ECWA Church and Cherubim Serafim Church 2 at Kurmin Wali in Kajuru LGA.
“The communities are yet to ascertain the number of worshippers kidnapped to unknown destination. The village is situated in a remote forest area. The DPO mobilised other sister security agencies and the military to the scene which cannot be accessed immediately due to bad road. Concerted effort in collaboration with all stakeholders has been intensified to rescue the victims and possibly arrest the perpetrators. Investigation has commenced.”
By Monday, Kurmin Wali was virtually deserted, as survivors fled to neighbouring communities to seek refuge with relatives and friends.
Some residents reportedly sustained injuries while escaping into nearby forests, while others remained in shock.
A breakdown of the abductees shows that entire households were taken, with some families losing more than ten members in one night.
Among the worst affected are Jonathan’s family (12 members), Amos family (13 members), Markus/Makudi family (10 members), Ishaya family (7 members) and Danisa family (7 members).
Several other families lost between two and six members.
The list further revealed that the oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is six-year-old Salvation Idris.
Other abducted children include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), as well as several 10-year-olds including Sussana Idris, Synthah Amos, Hezibah Jonathan and Hezikaiah Jonathan.
Below is the full list of the abducted worshippers as obtained:
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
As of the time of filing this report, rescue efforts were said to be ongoing.
