The identities of 177 worshippers abducted from churches in Kaduna State have emerged.
Gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, during Sunday service. Worshippers were taken from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Churches 1 and 2). Residents said more than 100 people were abducted in what they described as a coordinated attack.
The incident occurred barely a week after the community reportedly paid ₦2.6 million to secure the release of 20 residents who had been kidnapped earlier, raising fresh concerns among locals.
On Monday, the Kaduna State Police Command dismissed reports of the abductions, describing them as false and asking those making the claims to produce the names of the victims.
However, Tribune online later reported that the Police confirmed that armed attackers stormed the churches during service hours and abducted an unspecified number of worshippers to an unknown location.
According to the report, the attack happened around 11:25 a.m. on Sunday, but security operatives were alerted later in the day. Police said access to the area was difficult due to poor road conditions and its closeness to forest areas. Rescue operations, they added, had begun in collaboration with other security agencies and the military.
Human rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) also insisted that the abductions took place, accusing security operatives of stopping its team from accessing the community during a fact-finding visit.
On Wednesday morning, a detailed list containing the names of 177 abducted worshippers surfaced. A review of the list shows that entire families were taken, leaving Kurmin Wali largely deserted as residents fled in fear.
Families affected include:
Jonathan’s family – 12 members
Amos family – 13 members
Markus/Makudi family – 10 members
Ishaya family – 7 members
Danisa family – 7 members
Bawa family – 6 members
Danjuma family – 5 members
Musa family – 5 members
Several other families lost four, three, or two members during the attack.
The list showed that the oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is Salvation Idris, aged six.
Other abducted children include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds, including Sussana Idris, Synthah Amos, Hezibah Jonathan, and Hezikaiah Jonathan.
ALSO READ: JUST IN: Police make U-turn, confirm abduction of Christian worshippers in Kaduna
Others abducted are:
- Zahaya Joshua
- Nabilah Makudi
- Hajara Makudi
- Rebecca Hosea
- Ahmad Ahmad
- Liyu Ezekiel
- Vivian Ezekiel
- Goodluck Ezekiel
- Beauty Ezekiel
- Matina Maiyashi
- Bridget Maiyashi
- Vivian Linus
- Mary Amos
- Hamid Amos
- Patricia Amos
- Hamisu Amos
- Luka Amos
- Tacy Amos
- Cynthia Amos (guessed)
- Mercy Isaac
- Augustine Makudi
- Matthew Samaila
- Adam Musa
- Malika Sule
- Abu Ahmad
- Hussein Lucky (guessed)
- Akinyi Sadiu
- Dangata Amos
- Helen Jonathan
- Asinwa Jonathan
- Faith Joseph
- Gloria Kennet
- Happiness Danisa
- Fidelis Jacob
- Tobias Markus
- Istu Paul
- Hassana Paul
- Charity Chindo
- Christiana Danisa
- Everest Danima
- Thomas Philip
- Catrina Danbosi
- Halima Hassan
- Hassan Lukumi
- Mary Sadiu
- Franca John
- Henry Danbiyi
- Genesis Lawal
- Ayuba Lawal
- Solomon Ayuba
- Theophilus Danlami (guessed)
- Charles Sambo
- Rahila Charles
- Gambo Danisa
- Talent Danisa
- Nehemiah Danjuma
- Maijima Shekarau
- Matina Maijima
- Laraba Maijima
- Musa Danjuma
- Ishaya Danima
- Lulu Danisa
- Clement Ahmad
- Destiny Ahmad
- Nehemiah Ishaya
- Simon Ishaya
- Nasty Muku
- Helena Joseph
- Joseph Bawa
- Sarah Joseph
- Bulus Mariya
- Musa Samaila
- Bulus Bawa
- Halima Bawa
- Beture Hosea
- Sati Hosea
- Titus John
- Dogara Bawa
- Lories Bawa
- Adamu Aminu
- Ezekiel Adamu
- Tenah Markus
- Tina Danbosi
- Patricio Bawa
- Janet Tsuda
- Amina Danjuma
