On Sunday, January 18, armed men attacked three churches in Kaduna state, Nigeria, and kidnapped 177 worshippers. Sources close to the community share that they’ve been kidnapped for ransom.
The mass kidnapping took place at around 9am when armed men on motorcycles and on foot targeted three ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All) churches in the Kurmin Wali community in Kaduna State.
Southern Kaduna is a Christian majority area and has been severely impacted by the insecurity.
Locals share that elderly women and young children were released and some others were able to escape. 177 people are recorded to have been kidnapped. Local journalists have tried to gain access to the community but have been blocked by soldiers.
Despite the local government denying the attack and kidnapping happening, the community was able to document the names of those taken.
A local contact shared that like other surrounding communities, Kurmin Wali has repeatedly suffered attacks and kidnappings. On January 11, 21 people were kidnapped from the community and were only freed after paying about 7 million Naira (roughly around 6,700 CAD).
Other kidnappings have also taken place over the last few years. The repeated abductions have led to several communities around Kurmin Wali to abandon their homes and move to safer areas.
Pray
Pray for those who have been kidnapped and or their safe return.
Pray for the Nigerian government and that it will do everything in its power to protect its citizens, irrespective of religion, tribe or language.
Christians are emotionally and spiritually exhausted by this by the ongoing insecurity. Pray for God to renew the strength of the church and help them keep their eyes fixed on Him. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40
