The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) stated yesterday that the initial public denial of reports regarding the kidnapping of 170 worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, by the Nigeria Police, prior to any verification, was not only concerning but also caused confusion, increased fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of eyewitnesses who raised the alarm.
Last Sunday, gunmen raided three churches in the neighborhood at the same time, kidnapping 170 worshipers while some managed to flee.
However, Muhammad Rabiu, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, stated late on Monday that after police inspected the neighborhood, “there was no evidence of the attack.” Reports of the incident were written off by Rabiu as “ru-mours…sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration.”
After examining a later news release from the Nigeria Police confirming the kidnapping of the 170 worshippers, CAN issued a statement on Wednesday urging accountability and vigilance in security communications.
According to the group, it acknowledged the difficulties in confirming security incidents, particularly in isolated locations. However, it stated that these difficulties shouldn’t be used as justifications for misleading the public, especially where there are risks to human life.
The Christian organization’s National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated
advised that official communication should not come out as contemptuous of the pain or anxieties of impacted residents in such dire circumstances.
“While the need to prevent panic is understandable, caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference,” said CAN.
“Senior security officials’ statements carry a lot of weight, so they should be guided by due diligence, empathy, and a clear understanding of their impact on public trust and social stability.”
Okoh stated that CAN has taken notice of the following police confirmation of the occurrence while appealing for the abductees’ quick and unconditional release. He praised Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, for overseeing the deployment of intelligence and operational resources to the impacted region.
“These steps are necessary and welcome,” Okoh said. But going forward, they need to be combined with a more methodical, people-centered approach to crisis communication.
“We urge all security services and pertinent authorities to tighten verification procedures, increase coordination, and make sure that reliable community reports are given the weight they merit.
“Genuine distress calls must be respected, victims must be protected, and false information—whether sensational or dismissive—must be avoided.”
“CAN also urges governments at all levels to confront the persistent insecurity across the country with renewed urgency, as repeated incidents continue to endanger lives, disrupt worship, and erode public confidence,” the statement read.
Sani Visits Kurmin Wali Community and Promises to Guarantee Kidnap Victims’ Safe Return
Senator Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna State, promised that his administration will work with security forces to secure the safe return of everyone kidnapped last Sunday during church services in the Kurmin Wali community.
During a visit to the neighborhood yesterday, Sani made the guarantee and stated that he would not stop till the victims had safely returned home.
“To ensure the prompt return and recovery of our people who were abducted in this very important community, we have been working with the relevant security agencies, including the military, the DSS, the police, and the Office of National Security Adviser,” the governor stated.
“It is the responsibility of the Kaduna State government to protect the lives and property of the people,” he stated, regardless of the number of kidnappings.
“We should not be talking about numbers or politics,” the governor warned, denouncing individuals he claimed had been milking the regrettable occurrence to gain political points.
Here, we are discussing the sacredness of human life and dignity. For this reason, we will do everything in our power, working with the security services, to guarantee our people’s prompt return to Kurmin Wali.
Sani pledged that individuals injured during the attack will have their medical expenses covered by the state government.
In light of the community’s close proximity to the kidnapping hotspots, he continued, the state government would work with Defense Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd) to create a military facility there.
Sani claimed that although robbers had found refuge in the bush, the military had managed to quell the unrest along the Kaduna-Abuja motorway.
Kurmin Wali, he claimed, was near Rijana town, one of the nation’s banditry hotspots.
Additionally, he pledged that the road connecting the neighborhood to the highway will be built, stating that the Commissioner for Public Works would do the required evaluation before the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.
“We protect everyone’s life, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation,” Sani declared. In Kaduna State, we are one. And I’m glad Kurmin Wali residents have a good understanding of it.
“For that reason, even those of us who are grieving and in mourning were welcomed with open arms when we entered.”
Chief Dauda Titus of the Agwam Kufana previously stated that he was in church on Sunday when he got a distress call alerting him to the attack.
“We refused to comment on the incident since Sunday because we don’t know the number of those who were kidnapped,” he stated. We merely stated that there was an assault and that some individuals had been kidnapped.
Atiku bemoans the bandits’ audacity
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, voiced alarm about the growing boldness of robbers, who struck without warning.
In response to the attack on the Kurmin Wali community, Atiku expressed concern that the same criminals were busy attacking communities and capturing hostages while certain governments declared victory in their peace agreements with bandits.
“It’s colossally embarrassing to see non-state actors holding the country hostage and attacking people and taking hostages repeatedly unchallenged,” he said.
He said that when governors were pleading with robbers in the name of peace agreements, it was hard to achieve deterrence.
The former vice president stated that although he was not opposed to talks to put an end to the violence, he would not tolerate a situation in which bandits set the parameters of any peace agreements.
He declared, “Those peace agreements have always deceived the government’s negotiators and always benefit the bandits more than their victims.”
Atiku suggested that the government may act without waiting for bandits to initiate attacks.
“Nigerians are no longer impressed by the powerful language of condemnation by the government,” he said. Results are more important to them than rhetoric.
“History has demonstrated that the threat would have been eliminated long ago if rhetoric were sufficient to dissuade the bandits.”
The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emphasized that the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by President Bola Tinubu, must be held responsible for fulfilling its own campaign pledges to eradicate insecurity in the nation.
“Excuses cannot comfort Nigerians,” he declared. The Tinubu administration must be held to the same standards as the APC, a previous opposition party, applied to the then-governing government.
PDP: Shameful Government and Police Denial
The federal government’s silence and the police’s initial categorical denial of the abduction of over 170 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area were criticized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who claimed that this was a hazardous pattern that had been repeated throughout the APC rule.
According to the PDP, this kind of approach appears to be an attempt to hide the truth from Nigerians and to normalize insecurity.
“When news of this mass abduction first emerged, the Commissioner of Police Muhammad Rabiu did not just deny that it happened, he recklessly dismissed it as the work of mischief makers, peddled by ‘conflict entrepreneurs,'” according to a statement released by PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong.
Regarding the Kaduna State police commissioner, the PDP spokesperson stated, “He then had the audacity to demand details of victims.” In a same vein, the chairman of the Kajuru local government denied that any kidnapping occurrence took place within his purview.
These denials are extremely distressing not just because they are obviously untrue, but also because they show how carelessly this government handles important issues like security.
The people claim that the police were notified as soon as the kidnapping took place, which makes the situation much more agonizing.
They had the chance to take action. Rather, they opted for denial, putting the government’s reputation ahead of 163 Nigerians’ lives.
“Sadly, the Commissioner of Police and Chairman have been silent, without offering any apologies for their irresponsible conduct and failure to protect the people, since the police eventually accepted the reality of the sad incident, after the residents and the Christian Association of Nigeria provided the names of those kidnapped,” Ememobong said.
“This public betrayal and unsuccessful cover-up is extremely shameful and unacceptable.”
“An immediate public apology from the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area for their initial denial and failure to act,” the PDP requested.
“That the federal government send out a highly skilled security team right away to find, save, and securely return these abducted Nigerians to their homes and families.”
The party called on the administration to give up performative governance, which put appearances ahead of content.
The goal of government is to solve issues, not to garner praise. There are 163 families waiting. The PDP stated, “They deserve action, not excuses.”
The NHRC denounces the murder of women and children in Kano
The horrific murder of Mrs. Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano State, was denounced by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which called it an assault on human dignity and a flagrant violation of the right to life.
Unknown attackers are said to have broken into the family’s home on Saturday, January 17, slain the victims with lethal weapons, and allegedly dropped a baby down a well.
Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, stated that the act was not only illegal but also a grave violation of Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights commitments.
According to Ojukwu, the right to life is inalienable and needs to be safeguarded constantly, especially for vulnerable populations like women and children.
He emphasized that such activities endanger public safety and undermine the rule of law, expressing profound worry about the degree of brutality displayed in the incident.
In order to identify and prosecute those guilty, he urged Nigeria Police and other pertinent security authorities to conduct a thorough and open investigation.
The Dorayi Chiranchi village, the victims’ relatives, and the people of Kano State received condolences from NHRC, which also assured them of the commission’s support during the time of grief.
In addition, the commission reiterated its dedication to advancing and defending human rights nationwide and said that it is prepared to collaborate with law enforcement to guarantee justice and accountability in the matter.
Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/Gte (SOJA), another human rights advocacy group, denounced the killings as well, calling them a serious breach of fundamental human rights and a failure of governmental protection.
The organization claimed that the murder of a woman and her children had rocked the country and threatened the principles of justice, humanity, and the rule of law in a statement released on Tuesday by its legal officer, Hameed Jimoh.
According to SOJA, the occurrence constituted a grave violation of both the norms of international human rights instruments that Nigeria was a signatory to and the right to life as provided by Section 33 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The group emphasized that the Nigerian state was clearly obligated to safeguard life and provide accountability for violations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Rev. Fr., a Catholic cleric from Anambra. Nwankwo Describes His Experience with Gunmen
Rev. Fr. is a Catholic priest who serves as the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Lawrence Nwankwo described his experience being held captive by gunmen.
Nwankwo recounted his trauma and, with God’s grace, survival at the Ekwulobia roundabout during an attack on July 9, 2025, during what he characterized as a 44-minute encounter with gunmen.
He informed reporters that the incident occurred between 7:30 and 8:14 in the morning while he was traveling from Ekwulobia to Awka, the state capital.
His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, celebrated a Mass of gratitude for the priest in his Igweakpu village, Ndiowu, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
He said that God saved him when the thugs threw him in his car’s trunk to be taken away.
“I was going to Awka,” Nwankwo said. I stopped waiting for the traffic light to turn green because it was red. However, there were gunshots coming from every direction prior to this.
“I witnessed individuals firing from the Nanka Road as they approached the junction. On the route to Isuofia, I noticed a woman lying on the road split. I assumed the bullet had struck her.
I had just driven out in the direction of Aguata when there were gunshots from the route to Oko, so I got out of the car and got back in since I wasn’t sure that running back would be safe.
“I was in the car, behind the driver’s seat on the passenger side, when the door was unlocked. One of them, wearing a hood and a wig, told me to get down, give them the car’s key, and go into the trunk.
I did all of that, then. “We’ll go with this,” he declared after starting the car and applying the brakes.He left the driver’s door open and the engine running, presumably to make a quick getaway.
I was completely powerless there, but I was acutely aware that I might be in a kidnapper’s den. The gunmen kept firing. I occasionally heard requests for “another magazine!”Perhaps by those who had to refill their firearms.
Abruptly, I heard someone yell, “Who is that coming?”At that point, there was a change in the sound produced by the firearms in addition to an increase in the quantity and intensity of gunfire.
Additionally, I heard an order to “not shoot from behind!”I found out that the gunmen had been driven out by the Joint Intervention Force following the encounter.
He said he remained in the trunk, recalling that he remained surprised by his calmness and presence of mind in such a situation, including when a bullet struck his toe at 7.48am.
“Having put myself in God’s hands, I was there waiting, not knowing whether, when, and where another bullet might strike,” he stated. I’m grateful that I was not hit by another bullet. I have no doubt that God saved me by stepping in.
The car was hit by 19 bullets. Indeed, it was not simply riddled with bullets, but it was systematically shot at to neutralise any potential threat. Bullets even hit the spare tire underneath the trunk where I lay.
“Bullets were all over the passenger seat where I hid before one of the gunmen told me to go to the trunk.” It was evident that God used the gunman to transport me to a secure area of the car, and God continued to offer further security even in the trunk.
In a coordinated operation, the army neutralizes terrorists and frees 62 hostages.
Two terrorists were successfully killed and 62 hostages were freed in coordinated operations in the states of Kebbi and Zamfara, according to the Nigerian Army’s Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Lieutenant-Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, stated that the actions were carried out in close coordination with local vigilantes and other security forces.
Two terrorists were killed and two motorcycles used by the militants were recovered when troops in Kebbi State ambushed members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group close to the boundary between Augie and Binji local government areas, according to an army statement.
The motorcycles were equipped with long-range mobility gear and padded with thick blankets, and the terrorists were dressed in camouflage uniforms.
Similarly, forces in Zamfara State invaded Munhaye Forest, where infamous bandit leader Kachalla Alti was believed to lurk, and freed sixty-two kidnapped victims. According to the army, efforts were underway to reconcile the hostages with their families after they were placed in safe custody.
According to Osoba’s statement, “the operations underscore the relentless efforts of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and its partners to dismantle terrorist networks, restore security, and protect lives in the region.”
20 terrorists are killed by troops, and soldiers pay the ultimate price in a fierce battle.
In the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) engaged rebel combatants in a fierce and prolonged battle that resulted in the deaths of over twenty terrorists, according to the military.
A number of soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the combat, despite the operation’s notable successes, according to the Joint Task Force, North East.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, said in a statement that forces had kept up their vigorous push into the Timbuktu Triangle, gradually weakening terrorist networks that were firmly established there.
He claims that the most recent stage of operations concentrated on eliminating and controlling important terrorist strongholds, such as Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the wider Ajigin/Abirma districts.
“Troops made sporadic contact with fleeing terrorist elements as they advanced,” Uba stated. Numerous terrorists were neutralized as a result of the intense fire that followed these engagements.
He clarified that two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) threatened troops on January 20 as they were gathering at a harbor region, roughly six kilometers north of Chilaria.
One of the VBIEDs was effectively neutralized by being watchful and acting quickly. But several logistics platforms were impacted by the second VBIED, which pierced the defensive posture, he claimed.
Uba continued, “Some brave soldiers and CJTF members paid the ultimate price during the attack, while others suffered varying degrees of injury.”
He said the wounded servicemen were swiftly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for treatment.
According to Uba, Nigerian Air Force platforms from the Air Component, working in tandem with other Nigerian Army air assets, provided constant overwatch throughout the evacuation process to guarantee the safe extraction of casualties and the security of ground troops, who continued to engage and neutralize terrorist elements.
Later, troops discovered mass graves with an estimated 20 terrorist bodies, further demonstrating the extent of the terrorists’ casualties.
According to Uba, the bodies were those of those killed in earlier conflicts in the Timbuktu Triangle and interred by their escaping allies.
He continued, “This discovery clearly exposes the extent of terrorist casualties and further discredits the propaganda narratives often pushed by these groups.”
The military reported that soldier morale and combat effectiveness were good, and the security situation was mostly stable across the Northeast theater.
