On Sunday morning, armed attackers stormed three churches in Kurmin Wali, a village in northern Nigeria, abducting worshippers and sparking a mass kidnapping crisis. Over 160 people remain missing, with one victim, Sarah Peter, managing to escape after a violent assault, her head wound symbolizing the brutality of the raid.
The attack occurred as congregations gathered for worship, with gunmen surrounding the village and forcing captives to march into the nearby Rijana forest. Sarah Peter, a 60-year-old using a pseudonym for safety, was struck on the skull with a rifle when she resisted, leaving her bleeding profusely. She described hiding until the kidnappers passed, then crawling back to the village in a weakened state, her escape highlighting the chaos and fear that engulfed the community.
According to the local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, 11 people escaped, but more than 160 are still unaccounted for, with authorities initially denying the incident before confirming it days later. The delay in acknowledgment has fueled anger among residents, who accuse officials of suppressing information and failing to provide adequate security in the region.
Kaduna state governor Uba Sani visited Kurmin Wali three days after the attack, pledging to establish a military base, hospital, and road to enhance protection. He announced relief measures and assured villagers that efforts are underway with security agencies to rescue those still held captive, emphasizing that no one would be left behind.
The abduction is part of a broader security crisis in Nigeria, where armed gangs, known as bandits, frequently carry out raids for ransom from hideouts like the Rijana forest. Kidnapping has become increasingly common, with payments often suspected despite being illegal, though no ransom demand has been reported in this case.
International attention on Nigeria’s insecurity has grown, with U.S. President Donald Trump previously alleging targeted persecution of Christians, leading to U.S. military air strikes on suspected militant camps last month. Nigerian officials deny religious targeting, stating that all groups are affected, but the Kurmin Wali incident underscores the vulnerability of rural communities.
Local reactions are marked by tension and despair, with villagers like Christopher Yohanna, who escaped with his two-year-old daughter but lost his wives and other children, expressing profound grief. The community remains anxious for the return of loved ones, hoping the governor’s promises translate into tangible action and improved safety.
As Kurmin Wali grapples with the aftermath, the event highlights the ongoing challenges in combating banditry and protecting citizens in Nigeria’s conflict-prone regions. The need for sustained security interventions and transparent governance is critical to prevent future tragedies and restore trust among affected populations.
