U.S. Congressmen and Religious Freedom Advocates Respond Promptly
By Mike Odeh James
(Kurmin Wali: BREAKING) Residents of Kurmin Wali, a Christian village in southern Kaduna State, have confirmed to TruthNigeria that 177 Christian worshippers were abducted by Fulani ethnic militia during coordinated attacks on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Of that number, 11 victims later escaped, leaving 166 Christians still in captivity as of the time of reporting.
The confirmation contradicts earlier denials by the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, both of which claimed no kidnapping occurred in Kurmin Wali.
To verify the claims, a TruthNigeria correspondent traveled to the village and interviewed church officials, survivors, and community leaders.
Cherubim and Seraphim Churches Stormed
Mr. Yunana Dauji, Secretary of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Kurmin Wali, told TruthNigeria that two Cherubim and Seraphim congregations were attacked simultaneously during Sunday worship around 9:00 a.m.
“We were in church worshipping when Fulani terrorists emerged from three directions,” Dauji said. “They were armed with AK-47 rifles and surrounded the church. They warned that anyone who tried to run would be shot.”
According to Dauji, the attackers openly identified themselves as Fulani and forced worshippers to cooperate before marching them to a second Cherubim and Seraphim church.
“From both churches, more than 50 worshippers were abducted,” he said.
He added that the attackers confiscated phones, ransacked the churches, and demanded money allegedly belonging to the congregations.
ECWA Church Attacked
The Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Kurmin Wali, Mr. Joseph Bawa, confirmed that worshippers from his church also were abducted.
“It was around 9 a.m., just as we were about to begin Sunday school,” Bawa said. “They burst into the church shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.’ They warned us not to run or we would be killed.”
Bawa said worshippers from his church were merged with those seized from other churches and marched deep into the surrounding forest.
U.S. Congress and Advocates React to Kidnapping
Rep. Riley Moore, West Virginia Republican tweeted concern for the abductees on Monday: “Muslim Fulani attacked three churches yesterday and kidnapped more than 100 Christian worshippers. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing an existential threat at the hands of the Fulani militants. More must be done to protect them, and I urge the Nigerian government to ensure the swift and safe return of all those who were captured.”
Dede Laugesen, CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians posted a passionate video urging President Trump to ignore the denials from Nigerian officials.
“President Trump, don’t listen to the lies of the officials” she said, adding that she fears that 167 souls are in danger of being murdered in the forest to cover up the lies of the government.
“Lord God Almighty, rouse the world to their defense. A genocide against Christians is happening,” Laugesen says in the video.
Amnesty International also debunked the Nigerian government’s false narrative. Amnesty International condemns the desperate denial of the incident by the police and the Kaduna State government,” AI tweeted. “The latest mass abduction clearly shows President Bola Tinubu and his government have not effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups that killed thousands of people. Whatever security measures being implemented by President Tinubu and his government are clearly not working.”
Traditional Ruler Escapes from Kidnapping
Mr. Linus Madami, son of the Kurmin Wali tribal chief, told TruthNigeria that his father, Mr. Ishaku Danazumi, was among those abducted but who got away, nonetheless.
“In total, 177 Christians were kidnapped that Sunday morning,” Madami said. “My father escaped along with 10 others, bringing the number still in captivity to 166.”
Madami disclosed that his father’s two wives and two children remain among those held by the kidnappers.
“They also tried to seize me,” he said. “I struggled with two of them, struck one in the groin, and escaped into the bush.”
How 11 Victims Escaped
Mr. Joseph Bawa also recounted how 11 abductees managed to escape.
“The terrorists told us they were taking us to Rijana forest,” he said. “When we reached a river, they ordered us to cross through a shallow section.”
According to him, some captives deliberately lagged behind. Once the kidnappers crossed, the group fled back toward the village.
“They could not cross back quickly to chase us,” Bawa said.
Elderly Villagers Beaten and Injured
Several villagers, including elderly women, were beaten during the abduction.
An 80-year-old woman, Margaret Ezekiel, said she was assaulted after failing to keep pace.
“They flogged me with a horsewhip and cut my head with a machete,” she told TruthNigeria.
“They left me behind near the river. Villagers later helped me escape.”
Another survivor, Luka Dauda, a 65-year-old farmer, said he escaped by hiding behind bushes near the river before running back to the village.
Civil Society Investigators Blocked from Visiting Kurmin Wali Site
An investigative team of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSWN) Nigeria attempted to visit the village to verify the abductions but was blocked from entering by a military convoy heading toward them, according to a CSWN press release. A military officer reportedly told the investigators “There was a standing order not to allow us in,” according to CSWN. Nonetheless, a printed list of 177 village residents who were abducted has been widely shared and examined by TruthNigeria.
Despite official denials, eyewitness accounts, survivor testimonies, and on-ground verification by TruthNigeria confirms that the Kurmin Wali attack was a mass kidnapping of Christian worshippers during Sunday church services.
Mike Odeh James is Conflict Reporter and writes For TruthNigeria.
