Tears and emotion marked Thursday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, as 183 survivors of the recent church abduction in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, recounted weeks of fear, hunger, and abuse while in captivity.
The rescued victims, mostly women and children, were formally received by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani after a coordinated operation involving the state government, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Department of State Services.
One survivor, speaking anonymously, described being forced to trek for six days through dense forest and sleeping by a riverbank, with scarce food and unsafe drinking water. Children, the victim said, were often beaten whenever they cried from fear or hunger. Another survivor recalled, “We thought we were going to die there. We had lost hope completely.”
Addressing the victims, Governor Sani called the day “truly a day of joy” and praised the collaboration between security agencies. He confirmed that all 183 abducted persons had now been rescued and assured that none would be left behind. “For us in Kaduna State, even one person abducted is unacceptable,” he said.
Sani announced new security and development initiatives for Kurmin Wali, including a military base along the Kajuru–Kachia axis, construction of an access road, a hospital, and a skills acquisition centre. The rescued victims are receiving medical care, trauma counselling, and relief materials, with the government pledging continued support for rehabilitation.
The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) expressed relief over the safe release, commending Sani’s decisive and compassionate leadership. Chairman Rev Joseph Hayab also praised the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies for their efforts.
The abduction occurred on January 18, 2026, when bandits stormed the village during a church service, firing sporadically and forcibly taking women and children into the surrounding forest. Though initial reports of the number of victims varied, authorities later confirmed 183 people were abducted.
Elijah Adeyemi
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