The Village Head of Kurmin Wali in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Ishaku Dan’azumi, has revealed that the abductors have demanded a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles for the release of about 177 kidnapped worshippers.
Dan’azumi disclosed this during a telephone interview with journalists on Monday night, explaining that the demand followed the attack which took place on January 17, 2026, during church services in the community.
According to him, the attack affected three churches, Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and 2, and Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
He said the terrorists accused the Kurmin Wali community of stealing 17 motorcycles allegedly lost by the group during military operations in Kajuru Local Government Area.
“The terrorists called and said the Kurmin Wali community must pay ₦250 million and provide 20 motorcycles before the abducted worshippers will be released,” Dan’azumi said.
He added that the attackers also alleged that members of the community dismantled parts of the remaining motorcycles.
More than 100 worshippers were still being held captive nine days after the incident, raising serious concerns among residents and religious leaders.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, in a related incident in Ekiti State, gunmen who abducted five persons, including a pregnant woman and a nursing mother, in Erinmope-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area, have demanded ₦100 million ransom from their families.
Narrating the incident, the head of the affected family, Muhammad Okanlawon, also known as Elebenla, said the gunmen stormed their residence over the weekend and abducted five female members of the household.
According to him, the male members of the household were at the mosque when the attackers struck, firing sporadically before leaving with the victims.
Okanlawon said security agencies, including the Police, Civil Defence, Amotekun and other operatives, responded swiftly but were unable to track the assailants, who reportedly abandoned their usual escape route and blended into the community.
He added that the kidnappers contacted the family once to demand ₦100 million ransom and have not communicated since. He appealed to the government for intervention.