After two weeks in captivity, remaining Kaduna abducted worshippers regain freedom
The Christian worshippers abducted in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on January 18, 2026 have regained their freedom, after two weeks in captivity
Penpushing reports that sources confirmed on Thursday that the victims were released last midnight and driven to the Kaduna State Government House at about 2:30 p.m. and were received by waiting government officials.
The sources added that in same vein, the village head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the release of the worshippers and thanked the state government and security agencies for their efforts in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
Penpushing further that the village head was quoted saying that the community received the information that they have been released, stressing that the community are happy and the victims were currently with the government.
The sources stated that Dan’azumi added that those released included children, women and men, but declined to give further details, just as a community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, narrated how members of his community witnessed the release of the captives.
‘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’, he stated
‘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,” the community leader said.
Penpushing also reports that it would be recalled that about 177 people were abducted during the attack on Kurmin Wali, while about 80 of them, mostly children, reportedly escaped during the attack and found refuge in forest settlements
The Kaduna State Government as of the time of filing this report had yet to confirm the release or the number of people involved, however, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said all 166 people abducted during the attack had regained their freedom.
Penpushing reports that the Northern Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), John Hayab, on Thursday affirmed that the victims had returned home safely and that no ransom had been paid for their release.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter Chairman, Caleb Ma’aji, equally confirmed the development, just as videos and photographs sighted showed the freed worshippers dressed in yellow polo T-shirts, uniforms, and matching face caps.
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