Abductions for ransom payment and wanton killings of innocent citizens on daily basis by pampered terrorist groups in recent times have become as normal as eating rice and drinking water every day, however, while those abducted keep cooling off under dire conditions in the den of the terrorists, President Bola Tinubu and his government officials continue in globetrotting in the guise of seeking foreign investments that never come, this is in defiance of the horror citizens go through in the hands of terrorists and bandits
By Our Correspondent
Nigeria has lost leadership, many citizens lament. They claim that at no other time in the country’s history have the citizens been abandoned by those in leadership positions as is being witnessed under the regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Under the present government, mass abduction of citizens, kidnappings and ransom demands and payments, mass killings, armed robbery, economic hardship and hunger have reduced Nigerians to mere slaves in their legitimate country.
In contrast, President Tinubu is everywhere around the globe, claiming he is engaging world leaders whose domains are safe and prosperous in business and investment talks that have failed to add value to Nigerians’ lives since 2023 he became the president.
At the time of filing this report, Tinubu was still pontificating in Turkey, with his National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on investments-related matters with President Recep Erdogan of that country. The other time Tinubu was in UAE, another time France among numerous other countries, negotiating investment in a country where safety and security of the citizens are the costliest commodity.
Amidst the escalating insecurity while the President keeps globetrotting, the government has failed to initiate any concrete efforts to rescue the over 177 Christian worshippers Kidnapped by terrorists from three churches, the ECWA Church and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2 in Kajuru Local Government Areas (LGA) of Kaduna State on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The escape of the kidnappers with the large number of Christians, even in the presence of heavy security near the community, was to confirm the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria. But the authorities and security agencies were quick to dismiss the kidnap of the Kaduna 177 as fake news.
According to media reports on Monday, January 19, 2026, the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, had described reports of the kidnapping of the 177 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area as false. Rabiu had claimed that the reports of the incident by citizen journalists on social media platforms were false, malicious to mislead and unfounded. He then urged the public to ignore what he regarded as misinformation.
The police commissioner who called for peaceful co-existence of all citizens in Kaduna state also claimed that that no police report or record of such an incident had been received by his command.
Addressing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, January 19, Alhaji Rabiu equally challenged anyone making the claim to provide the names of the alleged victims along with other relevant details.
The Police Chief had insisted that the spread of such false reports could create unnecessary panic among residents and disrupt the relative calm in the affected areas.
He further warned that anyone found circulating such claims could face legal consequences under the Nigerian law.
The Police boss had also insisted that the Police maintained a robust presence in Kajuru Local Government Area and other parts of Kaduna State, adding that security forces were ready to respond promptly to any verified threats or incidents in the state.
Also speaking on the matter, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, said that he personally mobilised the police and other security agencies to Kurmin Wali Community as the ‘rumours’ of the alleged attack filtered.
Madaki said upon inspection, he confirmed that no such incident had occurred. The LGA boss argued that the community and local leaders had not reported any cases of abduction or violence. “We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place. There was no evidence of any attack.
“I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said there was no such incident”, Madaki said.
In a twist that betrayed doublespeak, the government was to make a U-turn against its initial denial when the names of the 177 abductees were made public. Since then, their whereabouts have remained unknown. Even as they languish in the den of the terrorists, the government has remained unperturbed by their plight and those of their family members who are going through emotional agony. An analysis of the identities of the 177 abductees indicated that entire households were kidnapped.
Families such as the Jonathan household had 12 members kidnapped; the Amos family 13; Markus/Makudi 10; Ishaya and Danisa seven each; Bawa six, Danjuma and Musa five each.
Other families saw four, three, or two members taken away. The oldest victim is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest, Salvation Idris, is a child of six.
The denial by government officials drew sharp criticism from rights groups. Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) which insisted that the abduction occurred and accused security agents of obstructing independent verification.
CSW-N Research and Press Officer Reuben Buhari said: “Thirty minutes after the incident, as the team was about to enter Kurmin Wali, CSW-N encountered a military convoy, including the chairman of Kajuru Local Government, which was leaving the community.
“They later refused to allow CSW-N team entry, despite repeated pleas and after the team showed full identification.
“The military officer who stopped the CSW-N said there was a standing order not to allow us in. Consequently, our team turned and was escorted to the main road, back to Kaduna.”
CSW-N added that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups, and simultaneously targeted the churches.
The group said, “Elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 reportedly escaped, leaving 167 in captivity at the time of the organisation’s engagement with community sources.’’
CAN Chairman speaks
The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, accused security agents of enabling the bandits to escape with large number of victims.
He said: “If the security agents had gone after the bandits, they would have prevented them from taking the victims to where they are now hiding. Instead, the security agents only helped the bandits move the victims to a place where they could conceal them and make their demands.
“Had they pursued the attackers immediately, instead of arguing over whether anyone had, indeed, been kidnapped, they would have chased them away, whether they were right or wrong.”
In his reaction, US lawmaker, Rep. Riley Moore, described the abduction as “horrific news” and urged the Nigerian government to ensure swift and safe return of the victims.
He tweeted: “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.”
Last week, the leadership of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) raised the alarm that no fewer than 160 members of the Church were currently in captivity across Kaduna and Kogi states, with their families facing crippling ransom demands.
The revelation came as the Church regretted Nigeria’s worsening security situation, following the recent abduction of worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement issued by the ECWA President, Rev. Job Bagat, the Church revealed that “about 100 members from the Kwassam District Church Council, 30 from the Saminaka District Church Council in Kaduna State, and another 30 from the Kabba District Church Council in Kogi State were already being held by kidnappers before the latest incident in Kajuru.”
ECWA described the situation as deeply distressing and reflective of the growing insecurity confronting communities across the country.
The Church expressed profound concern over what it described as persistent and targeted attacks against Christian communities, clergy and ordinary citizens, noting that such acts constitute a direct assault on constitutional rights to life, worship and security.
According to the statement, “ECWA pastors, church workers and members in several states have suffered killings, abductions, displacement and destruction of livelihoods, leaving many communities traumatised and abandoned.”
ECWA specifically condemned the abduction of worshippers on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, describing it as “sacrilegious and barbaric. The armed invasion of churches during worship, which was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Force, is sacrilegious and barbaric, further deepening fear and national anguish,” the statement said.
Rev. Bagat noted that the Kajuru attack was part of a broader pattern of violence threatening several ECWA District Church Councils, including Katari and Gidan Waya in Kaduna State; Katsina South in Katsina State; Patigi, Omu-Aran and Ora-Ago in Kwara State; Kabba District in Kogi State; Gwol and Mangu in Plateau State; and Shiroro in Niger State.
Meanwhile, weeks after the Kaduna abduction, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, has revealed that the terrorists have demanded the sum of N250 million and 20 motorcycles as ransom for the release of the 166 citizens still languishing in their terror camp.
This came as the gun-wielding terrorists, who abducted a pregnant woman, a nursing mother and three others in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have also demanded N100 million ransom from their families. Yet, the Tinubu government parades as if all is well with the country.
Speaking on Monday, January, 26, Dan’azumi said the demand followed allegations by the terrorists that the Kurmin Wali community had stolen their 17 motorcycles, which they allegedly lost during military operations in Kajuru council.
The traditional ruler said, “The terrorists called and said the Kurmin Wali community must pay N250 million and provide 20 motorcycles before they will release the kidnapped worshippers.”
He added that the attackers also accused members of the community of removing parts from the remaining motorcycles.
