•Community demands apology from Police, Council Chairman over initial denial of attack.
Kidnappers who abducted 177 worshippers from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have demanded the return of 17 motorcycles as a condition for the victims’ release.
The gunmen, who targeted three churches during a coordinated Sunday morning raid, claimed the motorcycles were lost or sabotaged during recent military operations in the area.
The Demand
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the demand during a telephone interview yesterday. He stated that a negotiator acting for the community was contacted by the bandits, who insisted that no victims would be freed until the missing bikes were returned and damaged parts—including carburettors and spark plugs—were replaced.
“They called the negotiator and said 17 of their motorcycles disappeared. They accused the community of stealing them or tampering with them,” Dan’azumi said. He noted that, so far, the abductors have not made any monetary ransom demands.
A “U-Turn” by Authorities
The abduction, which occurred on January 18, 2026, has sparked a firestorm of criticism against the Kaduna State Police Command and the Kajuru local government.
On Monday, Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu and Council Chairman Dauda Madaki dismissed reports of the abduction as “falsehoods peddled by conflict entrepreneurs.” However, by Tuesday night, Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin issued a statement confirming the incident and announcing that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had deployed tactical units to the area.
In response, the Adara Development Association (ADA) has demanded a public apology from both the Commissioner and the Chairman for “deliberately suppressing facts.”
