Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over reports of the abduction of 177 worshippers from three churches in Kaduna State.
Gunmen had on Sunday, January 18, 2026, invaded a town in Kajuru Local Government area of the State and kidnapped the said number of worshipers in three Churches; Catholic, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim.
Although the authorities earlier dismissed the reports as false, fact has since emerged confirming that the incident occured.
Obi, on his verified ‘X’ handle on Tuesday described the development as another grim reflection of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
He noted that although the government and the police have stated they are not aware of the alleged abduction, the recurring reports of mass kidnappings, disputed figures and official denials point to a broader crisis of safety, leadership and national cohesion.
“Whether confirmed or contested, the frequency of such reports alone shows a greater crisis of safety, leadership, and unity,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor lamented that communities across several states, including Benue, Zamfara, Kano, Niger and Plateau, have recently faced similar security challenges, stressing that Nigeria is not officially at war yet continues to record casualty figures comparable to conflict zones.
Obi accused the Federal Government of misplacing its priorities, arguing that a government capable of mobilising resources for “waste, propaganda and foreign lobbyists” should also be able to secure communities and protect lives.
He expressed solidarity with the people of Kaduna State and families of the alleged victims, assuring them of his support and prayers.
“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,” he said.
He added that he hoped those abducted would be rescued safely and that the injured would recover fully.
Obi stated that if the reported incident turns out to be untrue, it would be a cause for gratitude, but if otherwise, authorities must act swiftly to address the situation.
He, therefore, called on the government to treat human life as sacred and to urgently confront the country’s growing insecurity, insisting that “a new Nigeria is possible.”