Christian leaders say 163 worshippers were abducted in Kaduna; officials dispute claim

Christian leaders in northern Nigeria said at least 163 members of evangelical congregations were kidnapped after gunmen burst into Sunday morning services at three churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State. Two leaders of regional Christian groups told reporters that bandits arrived by motorcycle and stormed 9 a.m.

services. The Rev. John Joseph Hayab and Reuben Buhari said representatives sent to investigate were turned away by a convoy of military and local government vehicles blocking the road. Mr. Buhari said his group later spoke by phone to church members who described gunmen rounding up congregants, releasing older women and young children, and that another 11 people escaped.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria showed The New York Times a preliminary list of names it said it would release after finalizing it and alerting family members. Local and security officials, after a meeting at Kaduna State government offices, said they investigated the claims and found them to be false, dismissing the reports as "fear-mongering." Dauda Madaki, the regional government chairman, said he had sent police and other security forces to Kurmin Wali but found "no evidence of the attack," and said two village officials also disputed the incident.

Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, the state police commissioner, denied the kidnapping and challenged anyone to list the names and particulars of victims.

Key Topics

World, Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State, John Joseph Hayab, Reuben Buhari, Dauda Madaki