Crime
Kaduna Church Kidnap Victims Freed After Weeks in Captivity
177 church worshippers abducted in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna, freed and taken into government custody
Worshippers abducted from churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kufana axis of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, have regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.
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The victims were kidnapped on January 18, 2026, when gunmen stormed church services, whisking away at least 177 people, including men, women, and children, into the forest. The attack sparked widespread outrage across the state.
Reports indicated that the victims were released late Wednesday night, with heavy-duty vehicles seen entering and leaving a forest around Maro town between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Community leaders confirmed the freed worshippers were brought out in the early hours of Friday. However, it remains unclear who facilitated the release or whether any ransom was paid.
The village head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed that the freed victims are currently in government custody.
A security source also corroborated the release, noting that the victims were taken to Government House in Kaduna for debriefing.
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As of this report, the Kaduna State Government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
Police dismiss officers Anthony Obodo case has been confirmed as the Rivers State Police Command dismissed three of its officers linked to the killing of a 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, while parading the three officers before journalists in Port Harcourt.
According to the command, the officers were linked to the incident that occurred last Thursday along Ada George in Port Harcourt, where Obodo was shot dead.
A member of the team, an inspector who fled after the shooting, has been declared a deserter.
CP Adepoju stated that the three arrested officers were subjected to an orderly room trial. Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of their culpability, they have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court.
“I am here to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state, including the investigation into the death of one Anthony A. Obodo… Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved… the officers being paraded today have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court,” Adepoju said.
The commissioner noted that he understood the concerns of Obodo’s family and members of the public, adding that the Command has taken appropriate disciplinary action against the police personnel involved.
Obodo, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt who was reportedly awaiting his NYSC call-up letter, was shot during a police pursuit.
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