The village head of Kurmin Wali, Mr Ishaku Dan’azumi, has revealed that suspected bandits who abducted mm166 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have demanded a fresh ransom of N250 million and 20 motorcycles for the release of the victims.

Speaking on the development on Tuesday, Dan’azumi said the demand was the latest after the attack, which occurred on 18 January 2026, when armed men stormed three churches in Kurmin Wali village and whisked away men, women and youths during a religious gathering.

According to him, the community is devastated by the scale of the abduction and lacks the capacity to meet the kidnappers’ demands.

He appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and prevent further attacks in the area.

“This is beyond what our people can afford. We are pleading with the government and security agencies to come to our aid and secure the release of our people,” the village head said.

Kajuru Local Government Area, located in southern Kaduna, has been one of the communities repeatedly targeted by bandits and kidnappers in recent years.

Residents have faced a wave of attacks involving mass abductions, killings and the burning of homes, forcing many villagers to flee to presumed safer locations.

The 18 January abduction is one of the largest reported kidnappings in the area in recent times, showing the need for stronger security presence in rural communities.

As of the time of filing this report, both the Kaduna State Police Command and Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs were yet to comment on the ransom demand, while families of the abducted worshippers remain in anguish, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones. (The Sun, excluding headline)

•An interior view of Haske Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, after an attack by gunmen in which worshippers are kidnapped, in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna Nigeria, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Nuhu Gwamna

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