Remaining Worshippers Free After Nigeria Church Abduction
The worshippers abducted in Kurmin Wali Village, in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been released more than two weeks after gunmen took them during services on 18 January.
Residents said 177 people were taken, with some escaping soon after, while another 80 who had fled and hidden in nearby villages returned home earlier in the week. Authorities did not reveal what led to the final releases, and it remained unclear who was responsible.
The incident, initially denied by police, drew criticism from Amnesty International. Kaduna's governor said the freed victims would receive medical and psychological support before reuniting with their families. Community leaders welcomed their return, saying the victims are in good condition.
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Nigeria:
Remaining Kaduna Abducted Worshippers Regain Freedom After Two Weeks in Captivity
Premium Times, 5 February 2026
Sources confirmed on Thursday that the victims, who were kidnapped on 18 January, were released last midnight and driven to the Kaduna State Government House Read more »
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Nigeria:
Worshippers Kidnapped On January 18 in Northern Nigeria Have Been Released
Agenzia Fides, 5 February 2026
Worshippers who were kidnapped on January 18 from several churches in the Kurmin Wali community in the Kufana district of the Kajuru local government region in Kaduna State,… Read more »
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Nigeria:
Kaduna Govt Unveils Security, Welfare Measures for Freed 183 Kurmin Wali Abductees, Community
Premium Times, 5 February 2026
Sources confirmed on Thursday that the victims, who were kidnapped on 18 January, were released last midnight and driven to the Kaduna State Government House Read more »
InFocus
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A total of 80 worshippers who escaped abduction during the attack on Kurmin Wali in Kajuru Local Government Area have returned home after spending about two weeks hiding in neighbouring villages.
Village Head, Ishaku Dan'azumi, said that while initial reports suggested 177 people were abducted, further checks showed that 80 had fled and taken refuge nearby, though 86 worshippers remained in
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Authorities in Nigeria's Kaduna State have confirmed that gunmen kidnapped scores of worshippers from three churches on Sunday, reversing an earlier denial of the incident.
The Kaduna Police Commissioner previously dismissed the reports as "falsehoods peddled by conflict entrepreneurs" seeking to "cause chaos in
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Kaduna State, Nigeria.