February 12, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Armed bandits have abducted a Catholic church worker, his pregnant wife and more than 30 other residents in a fresh raid on a community in Kaduna State, Nigeria, sparking fear and urgent calls for action by local leaders and residents, Sahara Reporters has learned.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack took place in the early hours of Thursday, February 12, 2026, when a large group of gunmen stormed Kuriga village in Chikun Local Government Area, surrounding homes and forcing dozens of people from their houses before driving them into nearby bushland.
Among those seized was a well-known church worker attached to St. Paul’s Catholic Parish in Kuriga, along with his wife, who is several months pregnant and other family members. Community members said the bandits also rounded up men, women and children from neighbouring compounds.
Residents described the scene as chaotic, with families fleeing for safety as the gunmen moved through the settlement. Some villagers said they witnessed the attackers boarding victims onto motorcycles and trucks before departing toward the bush.
Local sources estimated that over 30 people were taken in the incident, a figure that has not been independently verified by official authorities at the time of reporting. The exact motive behind the raid remains unclear, though kidnappings for ransom and other criminal gains are common in the region.
The Kaduna State Police Command had not yet released an official statement on the incident, but community leaders and residents have called on security agencies to urgently deploy reinforcements to secure the area, rescue the captives, and prevent further attacks.
Families of those seized are reported to be distraught and seeking information, with some expressing deep concern for the wellbeing of the pregnant woman and other vulnerable captives. Civic groups and local clergy have appealed for calm, urging that authorities employ all available resources to ensure the safe return of the abducted residents.
The latest raid adds to a growing pattern of insecurity and kidnappings affecting communities in parts of Kaduna State, where armed groups have increasingly targeted rural localities and transit routes, disrupting livelihoods and heightening anxieties among residents.
Authorities have been urged to intensify patrols, improve community early-warning mechanisms, and work closely with local leaders to prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, families of the abducted continue to appeal for swift action to secure their release and ensure their safety.