On the morning of January 18th, Christians were gathered for worship in the village of Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State, when armed assailants stormed the community. The attackers raided three church buildings in the village: two congregations of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, as well as a fellowship belonging to the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). While over 170 people were taken hostage, some of them later escaped. At the time of publishing this report, at least 163 of the kidnapped victims remain missing – all of whom are being held by their abductors presumably in an unknown location.
Initial reports from government sources denied any knowledge of the attacks, raising questions by the press about whether they had actually happened. However, confirmation was later provided by both government representatives and church members. According to a spokesperson from the ECWA, gunmen had burst into the church building shouting, "Allahu Akbar," then warned the targeted congregants that anyone who made an attempt to flee would be killed. The captives from all three congregations were subsequently gathered together and marched into the forest. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the perpetrators are believed to be militant Islamic Fulani herdsmen.
These recent attacks are part of a larger pattern of violence affecting communities across Nigeria. One woman, Afiniki Moses, whose family paid for her ransom, had just been released on January 15th from a separate kidnapping incident. To her dismay, Afiniki's husband and two children were abducted during the latest occurring attack only three days after her release.
Following the most recent abductions, the state governor visited the village of Kurmin Wali and pledged to establish a military base, as well as a hospital, in the area. He announced to news reporters: "When we met [the villagers], I affirmed that we are with them and...we will not let any of them down." As the affected families await news of their abducted loved ones, they are hoping the governor will be able to keep his word. To review more reports addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, visit our country report.
- Pray for the protection, endurance and safe return of all those still in captivity, asking God to sustain them physically, emotionally and spiritually as they await their rescue.
- Please also uphold their concerned loved ones who are waiting with uncertainty by praying that they will experience the Lord's comfort, strength and provision.
- Additionally, ask the Lord to heal all those who have lost loved ones or suffered repeated trauma as a result of the ongoing violence in Nigeria.
- May the Nigerian authorities follow through on their commitments, providing effective security and support for vulnerable communities, so that the cycle of terror and fear will be abated.
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