KADUNA — The massive abduction of 177 residents from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area has triggered a fierce debate over Governor Uba Sani’s actual control of the state’s security apparatus. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, regional analysts and Southern Kaduna leaders warned that the attack, which targeted worshippers across three separate churches on a Sunday morning, signals a dangerous continuation of insecurity in the region that defined the previous administration.
The crisis has been exacerbated by the state government’s initial, high-profile denial of the incident, which officials originally dismissed as “malicious falsehood” and “conflict entrepreneurship.” This official refusal to acknowledge the kidnapping of nearly 200 citizens for over 48 hours has led critics to argue that Governor Sani is either being bypassed by security agencies or is struggling to break away from the controversial legacy of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai. During the El-Rufai years, Southern Kaduna became a global flashpoint for mass slaughter, with thousands murdered.
While Governor Sani attempted to reclaim the narrative by becoming the first sitting governor to physically visit the remote Kurmin Wali community on January 21, the visit has done little to calm the deep-seated fears of the populace. During his visit, the Governor promised the construction of a military base and a new hospital, yet residents remain skeptical, citing the fact that the bandits operated with impunity for hours despite the proximity of existing security outposts. The Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF) has since demanded the immediate sack of state officials who orchestrated the initial denial, arguing that such “official gaslighting” only emboldens the bandit networks that have terrorized the region for nearly a decade.
The situation has gained international attention, with the United States government and human rights organizations expressing concern over the “persistent and targeted” nature of the attacks in Southern Kaduna. As tactical units from the Nigeria Police Force and the military continue their search-and-rescue operations for the 166 victims still in captivity, the political fallout continues to mount. For many in the region, the Kajuru abduction is not merely a criminal event but a stark reminder that the failure to protect vulnerable communities remain an unaddressed crisis in the heart of northern Nigeria.
