The Kaduna State government and the police were forced to walk back their denial of the latest mass abduction in the country after pushback from the local community and a local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The initial denial raised concerns that the police and the state government were trying to cover up the incident, which had already attracted the attention of US lawmakers following media reports. 

Three churches were attacked in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State on 18 January 2026 and at least 177 worshippers were abducted by armed terrorists. The police quickly denied the incident, describing it as ‘totally false’. But when community members compiled the names of all victims, it forced the police to finally acknowledge the incident on 20 January 2026, while claiming that they are on the trail of the abductors. 

According to media reports, the kidnappers are now demanding an NGN 29 million (~USD 20,407) deposit as compensation for the destruction of their motorcycles by security agencies before they start negotiations for the release of their captives. Officially the government does not pay ransom to terrorists, but this has often been done through intermediaries, and there is more pressure now that the US have taken a keen interest in any attacks against Christians. The ease with which a large number of people are marched through several villages, on foot, without any attempt to intercede and rescue the victims, shows a government without the capacity to control its territory and protect its people. In the latest abduction, whole families were taken. 

US attention is adding to the pressure on the government to stop the abductions, but the security agencies are stretched, inadequately incentivized or trained to stop the abductions, and probably compromised. Further abductions are likely, and the US may repeat their military intervention.