Kajuru Abduction Sparks Outrage Amid Official Denials

On January 18, 2026, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State received reports of an abduction incident in Kurmin Wali community during a Sunday worship service, where bandits attacked and abducted 183 worshippers, primarily women and children. Eleven victims managed to escape, and 83 were later rescued, leaving 89 still in captivity as of February 5, 2026.

The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation, highlighting a crisis of trust between citizens and government officials. Governor Sani expressed shock at the attack, noting it occurred despite ongoing efforts to improve security in the state over the past two and a half years.

However, local officials, including Dauda Madaki and Sule Shuaibu, dismissed the reports of the abduction as false, claiming no evidence of the attack existed. This denial has raised questions among citizens and led to confusion regarding the actual situation on the ground.

The Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the official denial, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.