Police make U-turn, confirm 177 Church worshipers kidnapped on Sunday in Kaduna 

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed there was incident of kidnapping of Church worshipers at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, January 18th, 2026.

After the initial official denial of the kidnapping incident, the Nigeria Police said on Tuesday night that ” after verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur. ”

A statement on Wednesday signed by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters,.Abuja, said that:

“The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the deep concern generated by reports of an abduction incident at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Force understands the fear and anxiety such reports cause to families, residents, and the general public, and treats the safety of every citizen as a matter of utmost priority.

“Upon receiving the report, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by the Governor.

It explained that “during the meeting at the Government House, Kaduna, some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report, which had earlier been confirmed by the Police, and described it as false. This created uncertainty and reinforced the need for caution and thorough verification by the Police and other security agencies before making conclusive public statements on such a sensitive matter.

“In this context, comments made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, during a media interaction were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed. Those remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.

“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur. The Nigeria Police Force therefore activated coordinated security operations, working closely with other security agencies, with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area.

It further stated that “the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities. These efforts include deployment of tactical units as well as intensified patrols already in place, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and proactive measures to protect lives and property.

“The Nigeria Police Force appeals to members of the public and the media for patience and cooperation. The public is encouraged to rely on official police communications for verified information and to avoid speculation or sensational reporting that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.

It added that “the Force remains fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.”

BEHOLD, FULL LIST OF 177 KIDNAPPED PERSONS

Names of 177 Kidnapped Church worshippers in Kaduna have been released.

1. Samson Naallah (2) Edisid Naallah (3) Christopher Naallah, (4)Martin Samson,

(5) Moses Samson, (6) Clever Godwin, (7) Jerusalem Chindo, (8) Markus Makudi ,(9) Benjamin Markus, (10) Albert Markus, (11) Olelana Markus, (12) Linus Markus,

(13) Hassana Linus, (14) Ojo Bamboya,

(15) Esther Ojo, (16) Mary Jonathan,

(17) George Jonathan, (18) Careful Jonathan,

(19) EF James, (20) Morin Boniface, (21) Junior James, (22) Happiness Jonatha,n (23) Honest Jonathan,

24. Honesty Jonathan

25. Faith Luka

26. Beauty Luka

27. Junior Luka

28. Rosemary Luka

29. Dorothy Musa

30. Selina Nwankwo

31. Alice Bamboya

32. Magdalena Godwin

33. Hassan Ishaya

34–60

34. Lazarus Ishaya

35. Marta Ishaya

36. Zummunta Ishaya

37. Salvation Ishaya

38. Susana Linus

39. Jummai Linus

40. Peace Joshua

41. Zahaya Joshua

42. Nabilah Makudi

43. Hajara Makudi

44. Rebecca Hosea

45. Ahmad Ahmad

46. Liyu Ezekiel

47. Vivian Ezekiel

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48. Goodluck Ezekiel

49. Beauty Ezekiel

50. Matina Maiyashi

51. Bridget Maiyashi

52. Vivian Linus

53. Mary Amos

54. Hamid Amos

55. Patricia Amos

56. Hamisu Amos

57. Luka Amos

58. Tacy Amos

59. Cynthia Amos (guessed)

60. Mercy Isaac

61–87

61. Augustine Makudi

62. Matthew Samaila

63. Adam Musa

64. Malika Sule

65. Abu Ahmad

66. Hussein Lucky (guessed)

67. Akinyi Sadiu

68. Dangata Amos

69. Helen Jonathan

70. Asinwa Jonathan

71. Faith Joseph

72. Gloria Kennet

73. Happiness Danisa

74. Fidelis Jacob

75. Tobias Markus

76. Istu Paul

77. Hassana Paul

78. Charity Chindo

79. Christiana Danisa

80. Everest Danima

81. Thomas Philip

82. Catrina Danbosi

83. Halima Hassan

84. Hassan Lukumi

85. Mary Sadiu

86. Franca John

87. Henry Danbiyi

88–116

88. Genesis Lawal

89. Ayuba Lawal

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90. Solomon Ayuba

91. Theophilus Danlami (guessed)

92. Charles Sambo

93. Rahila Charles

94. Gambo Danisa

95. Talent Danisa

96. Nehemiah Danjuma

97. Maijima Shekarau

98. Matina Maijima

99. Laraba Maijima

100 .Musa Danjuma

101. Ishaya Danima

102. Lulu Danisa

103. Clement Ahmad

104. Destiny Ahmad

105. Nehemiah Ishaya

106. Simon Ishaya

107. Nasty Muku

108. Helena Joseph

109. Joseph Bawa

110. Sarah Joseph

111. Bulus Mariya

112. Musa Samaila

113. Bulus Bawa

114. Halima Bawa

115. Beture Hosea

116. Sati Hosea

117–147

117. Titus John

118. Dogara Bawa

119. Lories Bawa

120. Adamu Aminu

121. Ezekiel Adamu

122. Tenah Markus

123. Tina Danbosi

124. Patricio Bawa

125. Janet Tsuda

126. Amina Danjuma

127. Sandra Danbosi

128. Bridget Sunday

129. Saphat Innocent (guessed)

130. Alex Sunday

131. Beauty Peter

132. Samisa Paul

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133. Joy Joseph

134. Methole Johanna

135. Genesis Johanna

136. Maria Johanna

137. Merozdu Adonu

138. Karimi Jangbe

139. Sunday Martela

140. Santina Hershinga

141. Keuna Michael

142. Hassan Bulus

143. Marzeta Maisoni

144. Mainwa Dominic

145. Godwin Karimi

146. Amos Akijo

147. Nathan Amos

148–177

148. Joseph Chindo

149. Lydia Godwin

150. Hamna Maiyangi

151. Toletu Maiyangi

152. Esther Godday

153. Godswill Godday

154. Godlive Samson

155. Good luck, Aliga.

156. Madaki Tabawa

157. Tabawa Abba

158. Tabawa Iyamye

159. Samuel Amos

160. Daniel Amos

161. Deborah Amos

162. Ruth Amos

163. Emmanuel Danjuma

164. Joshua Danjuma

165. Rejoice Danisa

166. Blessing Danisa

167. Ibrahim Lawal

168. Zainab Lawal

169. Sadiq Ahmad

170. Aisha Ahmad

171. Yakubu Musa

172. Suleiman Musa

173. Rahama Musa

174. Daniel Jonathan

175. Samuel Jonathan

176. Peter Jonathan

177. Grace Jonathan