By Luka Binniyat and Mike Odeh James
(Kaduna, City, Kaduna State) Fulani ethnic militia terrorists have stormed two remote, rural villages since Dec. 29th, killing two and abducting 24, illustrating Nigeria’s tragic and spiraling kidnap-for-ransom crisis.
In the more recent development, a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Philip Adamu, and three others were kidnapped early on Saturday, January 2, 2025, at Ungwan Danladi in Kajuru Local Government Area, 20 miles southeast of Kaduna metropolis, TruthNigeria has learned.
Assailants reportedly invaded the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Christian community of Ungwan Danladi in Kajuru Local Government Area, about 20 miles southeast of Kaduna metropolis at night on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. The kidnappers also took away three other hostages and disappeared into the night.
“They placed a call the following day and asked for ₦20 million ransom ($14,00) for the clergyman and ₦10 million ($7,000) for the remaining hostages,” Rev. Mathew Illiya told TruthNigeria in Kaduna.
The same community had been attacked two months earlier, when seven people—including a four-year-old girl—were kidnapped, TruthNigeria learned. He added that the seven hostages taken from the village two months earlier are being held by the same kidnappers who abducted Rev. Adamu.
That means that the kidnappers, all said to speak the Fulfulde language of Fulani, are asking for N120 million Naira ($84,000) from the 11 hostages with them.
20 Abducted in Congo Village
On Dec. 29, two locals were killed, and 20 kidnapped in Congo Village, Kachia County, 60 miles south of Kaduna. Analysts believe hostages from all kidnappings in Southern Kaduna are being held in the sprawling hostage-holding camp of Rijana Forest, where as many as 30 subcamps are guarded by Fulani ethnic militia.
Kidnappers of the two groups of recent hostages – from Kajuru County and from Kachia County – are asking for N320 million Naira ($224,000) from their farmer relatives, TruthNigeria has learned.
Residents of Congo Village recently told TruthNigeria they are reeling from what survivors described as one of the most brutal and coordinated attacks the community has experienced.
“On the night of December 29, 2025, Fulani terrorists invaded our village and turned a celebration into mourning,” said Mr. Istifanus Audu Gara, a resident. “By dawn, two villagers were dead, 24 people had been taken toward the Rijana forest, but four had miraculously escaped,” Gara said.
According to him, the attack came shortly after the community concluded a send-forth ceremony for a young woman who was to be married into another Christian family.
“We were celebrating our daughter’s upcoming marriage, but the Fulani terrorists cut short our joy and replaced it with sorrow,” Gara said.
A Coordinated Midnight Assault
Another survivor, Mr. Daniel Fidelix, said the attack bore clear signs of planning and coordination.
“At exactly 12:14 a.m., I heard heavy gunfire,” he said. “I quietly woke my family and peeped outside. I saw more than seven Fulani ethnic militia on motorcycles. They were dressed in military camouflage but spoke Fulfulde.”
He said the attackers fired continuously while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” forcing terrified residents to flee into nearby bushes and farmlands.
The gunmen headed straight for the compound of Mary Adamu, a young woman whose engagement ceremony had taken place the previous day and whose wedding was scheduled for December 30.
Jacob Bitrus, a prominent businessman in the community, was also kidnapped alongside his wife, while their children narrowly escaped.
“Twenty are still being held by the terrorists,” according to a 70-year-old community elder, who spoke to TruthNigeria. “Two residents of Congo village were killed during the attack.”
“They called and demanded ₦200 million before they would release the 20 people still in captivity,” the elder said.
Desperate calls were placed to nearby security formations as the attack unfolded, but no help came.
“The attackers arrived in organized groups, wearing military camouflage and carrying AK-47 rifles,” the elder said. “I personally called the military outpost closest to us, but there was no response.”
According to him, the assault lasted about 45 minutes.
“Within that time, they killed, kidnapped, and destroyed property. Yet no security personnel showed up until the next day,” he said.
The victims shot dead at close range were identified as Mr. Daniel Sunday, the village head, and Mr. Friday Yusuf.
A Community in the Crosshairs
Congo village lies in the agrarian heartland of Southern Kaduna, part of Nigeria’s volatile Middle Belt where the predominantly Muslim North meets the largely Christian South. Area residents have prospered by cultivating ginger—a major cash crop—alongside maize, millet, and other staples that sustain local markets.
More than 80 percent of the residents are Christians, alongside smaller Muslim and traditionalist minorities. In recent years, however, the area has become a frontline in an expanding cycle of terror marked by raids, abductions, and ransom demands.
Community sources said the ₦200 million demand ($140, 000) effectively places the value of each captive at about ₦10 million Naira ($7,226 dollars)
“Every day gets bloodier,” one resident said. “The attacks are increasing, but the government remains silent.”
Despite repeated calls to both the military and police during the attack, residents said no intervention came until long after the
gunmen had vanished into the surrounding forests.
Police and military authorities have so far remained silent on the Congo village attack. Calls placed to both security outfits went unanswered.
Outcry by churches and labor unions about Nigeria’s uncontained murders and kidnappings for ransom broke out in multiple cities of Nigeria during early December and was reported by TruthNigeria.
Agriculture Trade sites are noting that the agricultural potential of Nigeria’s Middle Belt is being crippled by spiralling kidnappings for ransom that are bankrupting farmers in Southern Kaduna. In that part of the state most farmers are Christian residents.
Luka Binniyat and Mike Odeh James write for TruthNigeria on politics and conflict from Kaduna.
