Kaduna Abductions: Christian Leaders Demand Urgent Protection for Worshippers
Koko Maxwella 
KADUNA, Nigeria – Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna are demanding immediate government action to secure worship centres and rescue abducted church members, as families grapple with trauma, fear and mounting ransom demands.
Speaking at the 2026 Southern Kaduna Prayer Summit in Kafanchan, the Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, Dr Emmanuel Kure, says weeks after the abductions, none of the victims has been released, deepening anxiety across rural communities.
He warns that ransom demands running into tens of millions of naira are beyond the reach of subsistence farmers and are pushing already-vulnerable families into financial and emotional collapse.
“Our sacred spaces must be protected. No family should be left alone to negotiate with criminals,” Kure says. “Faith communities are under siege, and the response so far is not reassuring.”
Kure urges the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to act on earlier assurances to protect churches, particularly in remote areas that remain soft targets for armed groups. He also calls on local communities to collaborate more closely with security operatives by improving surveillance around worship centres.
The repeated attacks, he adds, are disrupting farming activities, education and social life in Southern Kaduna, with long-term implications for food security and community stability.
Addressing the gathering, House of Representatives member Dan Amos calls for sustained prayers for national peace but stresses that leadership consistency and unity are essential to restoring security, especially ahead of future elections.
“Prayer must go hand in hand with responsible leadership and patience,” Amos says. “Peace and development require collective effort.”
The summit ends with renewed calls for urgent security reforms, as Christian leaders insist that protecting worshippers is no longer optional but a constitutional duty.
About the Author
Chukwu Obinna 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Mirian Gom 