Fresh concerns over insecurity have emerged following reports of a mass abduction during church services in parts of Kaduna State, intensifying pressure on the Nigerian government to reassess its security strategy. Local residents and community leaders say armed men stormed worship centres in the Kurmin Wali axis, abducting scores of worshippers and fleeing into nearby forests.
Residents insist the attacks were coordinated and targeted, describing a pattern consistent with recent kidnappings across northern Nigeria. Community sources estimate that more than 160 people may be in captivity, although exact figures remain contested. Families of the victims have appealed for urgent government intervention, warning that delays could endanger lives.
However, Nigerian police authorities have disputed the scale of the incident, stating that they have not confirmed mass kidnappings at the reported locations. Police spokespersons said security agencies were investigating the claims and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could heighten fear.
The incident has reignited criticism of federal and state responses to banditry and insurgency, particularly attacks on religious gatherings. Civil society groups argue that repeated assaults on worshippers expose gaps in intelligence gathering and rural security deployment.
Kaduna State has long been a hotspot for armed violence, with criminal gangs exploiting forested terrain and weak local policing. Analysts say the latest reports could deepen domestic and international scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of internal security, especially as religious institutions increasingly become targets.
Government officials say joint security operations are ongoing, while affected communities await clarity on the fate of those reportedly abducted.
