Former LP Candidate Peter Obi Slams Government Inaction Amid Official Denials
Gunmen abducted approximately 172 worshippers from churches in Kaduna State’s Kurmin Wali community during Sunday services on January 18, 2026. The incident in Kajuru Local Government Area has intensified concerns over Nigeria’s persistent insecurity. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi swiftly condemned the attack, urging immediate action to end the cycle of violence.
In a widely shared statement on X (formerly Twitter), Obi described the abduction as “yet another unfortunate consequence of a nation where insecurity has been allowed to grow, unchecked and unchallenged in our everyday lives, as though it were normal.” He questioned official responses, noting denials from government and police sources.
“This should not be,” Obi wrote. “Even with the government and police stating they are not aware of this incident, we must ask ourselves hard questions. Is this how we will continue?
Obi highlighted recent attacks in Benue, Zamfara, Kano, Niger, and Plateau states. He criticized misplaced priorities: “A government that can mobilise resources for waste, for propaganda, for foreign lobbyists, but cannot secure communities or protect its people has misplaced its priorities.”
He expressed solidarity with victims: “To the people of Kaduna, you are not alone. We stand with you, and to the families whose loved ones were taken, we share in your pain.” Obi concluded: “Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred, the time to confront this insecurity is now. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO”
Conflicting Reports on the Incident
The abduction targeted at least two churches, including an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and a Cherubim and Seraphim congregation, around 11:25 a.m. Armed bandits reportedly used sophisticated weapons, blocked exits, and forced worshippers into nearby bushes.
Reverend John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in northern Nigeria, reported 172 abducted initially, with nine escaping, leaving 163 missing. A local lawmaker and community leaders corroborated high figures, estimating over 160-177 victims.
Kaduna State Police Commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu denied the reports, calling them “mere falsehood” spread by “conflict entrepreneurs.” Authorities claimed visits to the area found no evidence of attacks. Police challenged claimants to provide victim names and details.
Such discrepancies often occur in early reports of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, where initial tallies vary between security agencies and community sources.
Broader Context of Insecurity
Kaduna remains a hotspot for banditry and kidnappings in Nigeria’s northwest. Armed groups demand ransoms, fueling a cycle of violence. Recent incidents include school abductions and community raids, with thousands kidnapped annually.
The crisis affects daily life, displacing communities and eroding trust. Experts link it to socioeconomic issues, weak enforcement of anti-ransom laws, and intelligence gaps.
Obi’s statement echoes his earlier calls for decisive action. In a January 4, 2026 post, he mourned killings in Niger, Plateau, Kano, and Katsina, demanding an “all-hands-on-deck” effort to end violence.
Why This Matters
For millions of Nigerians, these events mean constant fear during worship, travel, or daily routines. The abduction underscores leadership failures and threatens social cohesion in a diverse nation. Without urgent reforms—better intelligence, community trust, and resource focus on security—more families face trauma.
As Obi emphasized, the time for change is now. Safe returns for the abducted and stronger protections could restore hope, but sustained action remains essential.
