Kaduna: Identities of 177 abducted worshippers released [+FULL LIST]

The names of the 177 worshippers abducted from ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have now been made public.
The released list presents a deeply disturbing account, revealing that entire families were taken during the attack, leaving the community traumatised and largely deserted of able-bodied residents.

The incident occurred barely a week after the same community reportedly raised N2.6 million ransom to secure the release of 20 residents who were earlier kidnapped. Despite initial denials by government officials and security agencies, a police situation report obtained by Vanguard confirmed that the abduction took place during church services.
According to the report, information was received around 5:45pm on Sunday, indicating that the attackers struck at about 11:25am the same day. Armed assailants reportedly stormed the churches, firing sporadically and forcing worshippers to flee into the surrounding forest.
The situation report stated:
“Message received from DPO Kajuru indicates that on 18/01/2026 at about 1745hrs, information was received that same date at about 1125hrs that unspecified number of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons attacked ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2 at Kurmin Wali in Kajuru LGA.
“The communities have yet to ascertain the exact number of worshippers kidnapped to unknown destinations. The village is located in a remote forest area. The DPO mobilised sister security agencies and the military to the scene, which could not be accessed immediately due to bad roads. Concerted efforts in collaboration with all stakeholders have been intensified to rescue the victims and possibly arrest the perpetrators. Investigation has commenced.”
As of yesterday, Kurmin Wali village was reportedly deserted, with survivors fleeing to neighbouring communities to seek refuge with relatives and friends. Some residents who sustained injuries while escaping were said to be in shock, while poor network coverage and lost mobile phones made communication difficult.
Breakdown of the 177 victims
An analysis of the names obtained by Vanguard showed that several households were completely wiped out. The Jonathan family reportedly lost 12 members; the Amos family, 13; Markus/Makudi, 10; Ishaya and Danisa, seven each; while Bawa had six members abducted. Danjuma and Musa families each had five members taken.
Other families recorded between two and four abductees. The oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is six-year-old Salvation Idris. Other children abducted include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds such as Sussana Idris, Synthah Amos, Hezibah and Hezikaiah Jonathan.
Outrage over official denial
The initial denial of the incident by government officials has drawn strong criticism from rights groups. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) insisted that the abduction occurred and accused security operatives of obstructing independent verification.
CSW-N Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, said:
“About 30 minutes after the incident, as our team was about to enter Kurmin Wali, we encountered a military convoy, including the chairman of Kajuru Local Government, leaving the community.
“They later refused to allow our team entry despite repeated pleas and presentation of valid identification. The military officer said there was a standing order not to allow us in, and we were escorted back to the main road.”
CSW-N further stated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups, and attacked the churches simultaneously. According to the organisation, elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 victims reportedly escaped, leaving about 167 people in captivity at the time of engagement with community sources.
CAN chairman reacts
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, accused security agencies of enabling the attackers to escape with a large number of victims.
He said that immediate pursuit could have prevented the kidnappers from relocating the victims to their hideouts, adding that security agents wasted crucial time disputing reports of the abduction instead of acting swiftly.
International condemnation
Reacting to the incident, United States lawmaker, Rep. Riley Moore, described the abduction as “horrific” and urged the Nigerian government to ensure the safe and speedy return of the victims.
In a post on X, he said Nigeria’s Christian population was facing an existential threat and called for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities.
Peter Obi raises alarm
Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and a reflection of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
He said repeated mass abductions, disputed figures, and official denials had become a disturbing pattern, stressing that the government must act decisively to rescue the victims and prevent further occurrences. Obi added that Nigeria deserves leadership that treats human life as sacred.
It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Government, the state police command and the chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area had earlier challenged reports of mass abduction and asked those confirming the incident to publish the names of the victims.
Earlier attack in Kujama
Before the Kajuru mass abduction, bandits had reportedly attacked Kujama community in Southern Kaduna on Sunday morning, abducting a nursing mother and two others. The attackers allegedly left her infant behind and later demanded a total ransom of N150 million for the victims.
A relative of one of the abducted women, Anthony Yisa, told Vanguard that the kidnappers threatened to kill the victims if their families reported the matter to security agencies. He also said the husbands of the women sustained severe machete injuries while trying to resist the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansur Hassan, said he would investigate and respond accordingly.
List of abducted worshippers
Below are the names of the 177 abducted victims as obtained by Vanguard:
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
Mercy Isaac
Augustine Makudi
Matthew Samaila
Adam Musa
Malika Sule
Abu Ahmad
Hussein Lucky
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
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
Sandra Danbosi
Bridget Sunday
Saphat Innocent
Alex Sunday
Beauty Peter
Samisa Paul
Joy Joseph
Methole Johanna
Genesis Johanna
Maria Johanna
Merozdu Adonu
Karimi Jangbe
Sunday Martela
Santina Hershinga
Keuna Michael
Hassan Bulus
Marzeta Maisoni
Mainwa Dominic
Godwin Karimi
Amos Akijo
Nathan Amos
Joseph Chindo
Lydia Godwin
Hamna Maiyangi
Toletu Maiyangi
Esther Godday
Godswill Godday
Godlive Samson
Goodluck Aliga
Madaki Tabawa
Tabawa Abba
Tabawa Iyamye
Samuel Amos
Daniel Amos
Deborah Amos
Ruth Amos
Emmanuel Danjuma
Joshua Danjuma
Rejoice Danisa
Blessing Danisa
Ibrahim Lawal
Zainab Lawal
Sadiq Ahmad
Aisha Ahmad
Yakubu Musa
Suleiman Musa
Rahama Musa
Daniel Jonathan
Samuel Jonathan
Peter Jonathan
Grace Jonathan
(Vanguard)