Amnesty International Nigeria has raised alarm over the alleged abduction of 166 people during coordinated attacks on three churches in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement issued one week after the incident, the rights group said gunmen raided the churches during Sunday services and abducted worshippers, moving from one church to another. Amnesty International noted that residents and families of the victims confirmed the attacks and abductions to its representatives.
According to the organisation, security agencies and the Kaduna State Government initially denied that the incident occurred, dismissing reports as “fake news” or attributing them to opposition elements.
Amnesty International described the reported mass abduction as further evidence of the Nigerian government’s inability to halt years of violent attacks by armed groups, which it said have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives across the country.
The organisation criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that existing security measures have failed to prevent repeated attacks and abductions, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to end what it described as a consistent failure to protect citizens, stressing that residents should not be forced to live in fear of further attacks or abductions. It urged the government to take urgent and effective action to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
