“Kurmin Wali Worshippers Freed” — 177 Abducted Churchgoers Released After Weeks In Captivity, Await Debriefing At Kaduna Govt House

Worshippers kidnapped from churches in Kurmin Wali town, Kaduna State, have been released, Daily Trust has reported.

The victims were abducted on January 18, 2026, while attending church service in the Kufana axis of Kajuru Local Government Area.

A community leader, speaking to newsmen on condition of anonymity, described the release, saying, “Between about 11 p.m. and 12 midnight, we were informed that large vehicles entered the forest, and later, around 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., they came out with the abducted people from the Maro axis. We do not know who went to take them or who released them. We are also not certain whether all of them were freed, but their release has been confirmed.”

It remains unclear whether any ransom was paid or if the 17 motorcycles demanded by the abductors were surrendered.

Recall that at least 177 people were abducted during the attack, while about 80 victims, mostly children, escaped two weeks later and found refuge in forest settlements.

Confirming the development, the village head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, thanked the state government and security agencies for their role in securing the victims’ release. “We also received the information today that they have been released. We are happy and they are currently with the government,” he said, adding that the released included children, women, and adults.

A security source also confirmed the release to Daily Trust: “Yes, you are correct. They were released last night.” As of filing, the Kaduna State Government had not issued an official statement, but Daily Trust learnt the victims were being taken to Government House, Kaduna, for debriefing.