C&S demands government action on abducted Kaduna worshippers

The Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity in the country following the abduction of over 160 worshippers on January 18 in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Supreme Head of the church, Emmanuel Alogbo, made the appeal on Monday during a world press conference ahead of the church’s 2026 Annual General Conference at Seraphim Land, Ogun State.

Alogbo described the abduction as a painful national challenge and urged the government to strengthen the Armed Forces with modern equipment to boost their operational capacity.

“As a church whose members are part of the citizens of Nigeria, we are deeply troubled by the loss of innocent lives, displacement of families, and the atmosphere of fear across many communities,” he said.

As we speak, 151 members of our church are still in the hands of their abductors, having been kidnapped during Sunday service on January 18, 2026, at Wali in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State. While we commend the President Bola Tinubu-led government for its efforts at addressing security challenges, the recent increase in kidnappings demands urgent attention.”

Alogbo said the church was working with its state chapters to relocate worship centres from remote and vulnerable locations to safer areas, while leveraging its membership in the Christian Association of Nigeria to pressure the government to fortify security.

The forthcoming Annual General Conference, themed “An Unhidden City Mat.5:14” and scheduled from January 29 to February 1 at Saviour’s Ministries (C&S), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, is designed to provide spiritual direction and practical guidance at a critical time.

The programmes include plenary teaching sessions, leadership and ministers’ forums, youth and women empowerment sessions, prayer and intercession, and strategic dialogue on the church’s post-centenary future.

Anxiety continues to grip residents of Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru LGA, where worshippers from three churches were abducted. Of the 177 initially kidnapped, 11 later escaped, leaving 166 still in captivity one week after the attack. Victims include children as young as five, women, and elderly men

Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria described the captives’ situation as “distressing and life-threatening,” noting they were forced to sleep outdoors in cold and harsh conditions without adequate food or medical care.

“These are vulnerable people—children, women, and elderly men—exposed to hunger, cold, and danger every day they remain in the hands of their abductors,” said CSW-N CEO, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu.

He added that the delay in rescue operations had worsened the psychological trauma of victims’ families and eroded public confidence, particularly after security authorities initially denied the abduction on January 19 before later confirming the incident.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, visited Kurmin Wali, meeting with community leaders and families of the abducted worshippers.

CSW-N commended the state government for providing medical care to the escapees and deploying construction equipment to repair the village access road, as well as sending security personnel to restore calm.

However, Nmadu stressed that such measures remain inadequate unless the abducted worshippers are rescued without delay.

“Rescuing them as quickly as possible will help restore the trust damaged by the initial denial of the kidnapping,” he said, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to recover other abducted persons across Kaduna State.

Meanwhile, residents of Kurmin Wali continue to live in fear and uncertainty, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones as their days in captivity stretch on.

Culled from punch