By Micah Jonah
January 21, 2026
Security agencies have confirmed that armed men abducted villagers in parts of Kaduna State over the weekend, as police launched coordinated operations aimed at rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the affected communities.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, national police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said an abduction occurred on Sunday and that active security deployments are now focused on locating the captives and stabilizing the area.
He explained that earlier statements from local officers were issued to prevent panic while facts were being verified and assessments were ongoing.
While police did not give an official figure, Kaduna State lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo said about 168 people were missing. The northern leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria also confirmed that at least 172 worshippers were taken during the attack, with nine later escaping, leaving more than 160 still unaccounted for.
Witness accounts said dozens of armed men stormed Kurmin Wali village as residents gathered for worship in three churches, taking a significant number of people from the community.
Residents later received communication from the attackers demanding the return of motorcycles they claimed were hidden in nearby bushes. Community leaders said villagers had no knowledge of the bikes and were already struggling with severe economic hardship.
The latest incident comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to curb criminal gangs that operate across several northern and central regions, where mass kidnappings and village raids have remained a major challenge.
In a similar incident last November, more than 300 students and teachers were taken from a Catholic school in Niger State. Many later escaped, while others were released in stages following sustained security and negotiation efforts.
Authorities say intelligence driven operations and inter agency coordination remain key tools in dismantling criminal networks and preventing further attacks on rural communities.
Federal officials have also intensified cooperation with international partners to address cross border movement of armed groups and disrupt supply routes used by criminal gangs.
Security agencies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting civilians, rescuing all abducted persons and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice as operations continue across affected areas.
