Terrorists
By Abdullahi Abubakar
The identities 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 emerged, revealing the scale of a raid that wiped out entire families and left the community traumatised.
The abduction occurred on Sunday during church services, barely one week after residents reportedly paid N2.6 million ransom to secure the release of 20 persons previously kidnapped from the same community.
Findings by Vanguard show that the list of victims paints a grim picture of households taken wholesale from their homes and places of worship, leaving Kurmin Wali virtually deserted. Despite initial denials by government officials and security agencies, a police situation report obtained by Vanguard confirmed that the attack did take place.
According to the report, information was received at about 5:45pm on Sunday, indicating that the attack occurred earlier in the day at around 11:25am. It stated that armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, stormed the churches, firing sporadically and forcing worshippers to flee into surrounding forests.
“The DPO mobilised sister security agencies and the military to the scene, but access was delayed due to poor road conditions,” the report noted, adding that investigations had commenced and efforts to rescue the victims were ongoing.
As of Monday, Kurmin Wali was largely deserted, with survivors fleeing to nearby communities to seek refuge with relatives and friends. Those injured while escaping were said to be in shock, while poor network coverage and lost mobile phones made it difficult to reach many of them for comment.
An analysis of the victims’ list revealed that entire households were taken. Among them were: Jonathan family – 12 members Amos family – 13 members Markus/Makudi family – 10 members Ishaya and Danisa families – seven each Bawa family – six members Danjuma and Musa families – five each The oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest, Salvation Idris, is just six years old. Other children abducted include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds.
The initial denial of the incident by government officials drew sharp criticism from rights groups. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) insisted the abduction occurred and accused security agents of obstructing independent verification.
Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, said the organisation’s team was prevented from accessing the community shortly after the attack. “They later refused to allow our team entry, despite full identification. We were told there was a standing order not to let us in,” Buhari said. CSW-N added that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups and attacked the churches simultaneously. The group said elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 reportedly escaped, leaving 167 persons in captivity at the time.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the FCT, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, accused security agencies of failing to pursue the attackers. “If security agents had gone after the bandits immediately, they would not have escaped with so many victims,” Hayab said.
Reacting US Congressman Riley Moore described the abduction as “horrific” and urged the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of the victims. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also condemned the incident, describing it as another sign of unchecked insecurity.
“Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred,” Obi said, calling for urgent action to rescue the abducted worshippers.
Below are th names of the kidnap victims: 41. Zahaya Joshua 42. Nabilah Makudi 43. Hajara Makudi 44. Rebecca Hosea 45. Ahmad Ahmad 46. Liyu Ezekiel 47. Vivian Ezekiel 48. Goodluck Ezekiel 49. Beauty Ezekiel 50. Matina Maiyashi 51. Bridget Maiyashi 52. Vivian Linus 53. Mary Amos 54. Hamid Amos 55. Patricia Amos 56. Hamisu Amos 57. Luka Amos 58. Tacy Amos 59. Cynthia Amos (guessed) 60. Mercy Isaac 61. Augustine Makudi 62. Matthew Samaila 63. Adam Musa 64. Malika Sule 65. Abu Ahmad 66. Hussein Lucky (guessed) 67. Akinyi Sadiu 68. Dangata Amos 69. Helen Jonathan 70. Asinwa Jonathan 71. Faith Joseph 72. Gloria Kennet 73. Happiness Danisa 74. Fidelis Jacob 75. Tobias Markus 76. Istu Paul 77. Hassana Paul 78. Charity Chindo 79. Christiana Danisa 80. Everest Danima 81. Thomas Philip 82. Catrina Danbosi 83. Halima Hassan 84. Hassan Lukumi 85. Mary Sadiu 86. Franca John 87. Henry Danbiyi 88. Genesis Lawal 89. Ayuba Lawal 90. Solomon Ayuba 91. Theophilus Danlami (guessed) 92. Charles Sambo 93. Rahila Charles 94. Gambo Danisa 95. Talent Danisa 96. Nehemiah Danjuma 97. Maijima Shekarau 98. Matina Maijima 99. Laraba Maijima 100. Musa Danjuma 101. Ishaya Danima 102. Lulu Danisa 103. Clement Ahmad 104. Destiny Ahmad 105. Nehemiah Ishaya 106. Simon Ishaya 107. Nasty Muku 108. Helena Joseph 109. Joseph Bawa 110. Sarah Joseph 111. Bulus Mariya 112. Musa Samaila 113. Bulus Bawa 114. Halima Bawa 115. Beture Hosea 116. Sati Hosea 117. Titus John 118. Dogara Bawa 119. Lories Bawa 120. Adamu Aminu 121. Ezekiel Adamu 122. Tenah Markus 123. Tina Danbosi 124. Patricio Bawa 125. Janet Tsuda 126. Amina Danjuma 127. Sandra Danbosi 128. Bridget Sunday 129. Saphat Innocent (guessed) 130. Alex Sunday 131. Beauty Peter 132. Samisa Paul 133. Joy Joseph 134. Methole Johanna 135. Genesis Johanna 136. Maria Johanna 137. Merozdu Adonu 138. Karimi Jangbe 139. Sunday Martela 140. Santina Hershinga 141. Keuna Michael 142. Hassan Bulus 143. Marzeta Maisoni 144. Mainwa Dominic 145. Godwin Karimi 146. Amos Akijo 147. Nathan Amos 148. Joseph Chindo 149. Lydia Godwin 150. Hamna Maiyangi 151. Toletu Maiyangi 152. Esther Godday 153. Godswill Godday 154. Godlive Samson 155. Goodluck Aliga 156. Madaki Tabawa 157. Tabawa Abba 158. Tabawa Iyamye 159. Samuel Amos 160. Daniel Amos 161. Deborah Amos 162. Ruth Amos 163. Emmanuel Danjuma 164. Joshua Danjuma 165. Rejoice Danisa 166. Blessing Danisa 167. Ibrahim Lawal 168. Zainab Lawal 169. Sadiq Ahmad 170. Aisha Ahmad 171. Yakubu Musa 172. Suleiman Musa 173. Rahama Musa 174. Daniel Jonathan 175. Samuel Jonathan 176. Peter Jonathan 177. Grace Jonathan
