In a daring attack on Sunday, armed bandits stormed multiple churches in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna State, abducting more than 100 worshippers during ongoing services.
A source with family members among the victims told SaharaReporters that the assailants “stormed the churches and forcibly took congregants,” leaving communities in shock. Reports indicate that around ten people considered vulnerable were later released by the attackers.
Authorities and security agencies have been notified, though further details are still emerging. Kaduna has faced repeated deadly attacks by bandits in recent years, fueling growing anger and despair among residents.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and emotional reactions across social media, with many Nigerians demanding stronger government intervention.
Dr. Vincent Ahonsi wrote: “Arrest those advocating amnesty for bandits forthwith. Arrest anyone releasing captured bandits into society under any guise. Arrest anyone holding unreasonable peace meetings with bandits. It’s time to use military weaponry to send these terrorists to their makers in ashes without further delays.”
Another commentator, @IchieOnodugo, accused the government of misplaced priorities: “The government is engaging lobbyists in millions of dollars, but can’t face the existential threat against Christians fair and square. You just know they’ve picked a side, and it’s with the Fulani terrorists.”
For many, the attack underscores a deepening crisis. Lord Foster Inc (@lordfoster102) lamented: “My heart is shattered. To go to church to find peace and end up in a bandit’s camp in the forest, what kind of country is this? Over 100 churchgoers gone in one sweep, and we are still calling it ‘clashes’? This is a systematic erasure of a people. How many more empty pews and broken families will it take before the world realises that prayers are no longer enough? We need action, not just alerts.”
The way the incident has been reported also drew criticism. Temitope (@Shadowwwalker1) argued, “So they are not called Christians again but church goers? What sort of headline is that? They kidnapped Christians in the 100s. Fix it.”
Others accused the media of downplaying the religious dimension of the attack. Frank Nwodika (@Frankmezor) added: “So it’s now church goers, not Christians? Journalism has ended. They have officially joined politics.”
Some voices framed the attack as part of a larger pattern of religious persecution. Comrade Iba Monso (@Ocaleb88) asked: “When was the last time Muslims were kidnapped at their mosque in their numbers?”
Others questioned the government’s repeated claims of military success against bandits. @LanisterThe wrote: “I thought the Nigerian Air Force always announced they kill bandits virtually every day. How come these terrorist groups are still very much active?”
The tragedy has also prompted appeals to international leaders. Dave (@DaveDoonald) tweeted: “@POTUS @netanyahu it’s still happening in Nigeria. Please, we need your timely intervention. It’s suicidal to be Christian in Nigeria. Save us, please. The Nigerian government is complicit with perpetrators of this evil.”
Similarly, @Osikhena2014 insisted: “Stop calling them bandits. They are terrorists. Islamic jihadist terrorists, for crying out loud, with support from the illegitimate government.”
For many Nigerians, the attack is yet another sign of a country in crisis. Emmanuel Ch (@EmmanuelCh92029) reflected: “Nigeria at the moment is at a crossroads. Nigeria is collapsing. The blood of the innocents has wet the land for too long. Nigeria can’t survive what’s to come.