Intelligence-led ops underway to rescue Kaduna church abductees

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops and intelligence assets have been deployed to support the safe rescue of residents abducted from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state. The military says it has taken note of community concerns and is prioritising the recovery of all victims per TheCable report .

What the military says it is doing

Michael Onoja, director of defence media operations, said security forces are continuing intelligence-driven operations in Kurmin Wali and surrounding forested areas believed to be used by the kidnappers. According to the DHQ account, the response includes:

• Ground patrols to locate routes and possible holding areas

• Surveillance missions to map movements and reduce blind spots

• Intelligence gathering to identify networks and logistics supporting the kidnappers

• Targeted actions designed to extract hostages without increasing risk to those in captivity

Onoja said the military’s restraint in certain phases of the operation is deliberate, arguing that rushing an assault without verified information could endanger hostages. He added that efforts are also aimed at dismantling the criminal networks linked to the abductions.

Why “intelligence-led” matters in a hostage rescue

In hostage situations especially those believed to involve movement through forests and remote settlements security agencies typically face two competing pressures: the need to act quickly, and the need to avoid escalating harm to captives. DHQ’s emphasis on surveillance, intelligence collection and “carefully targeted” actions signals a preference for precision and risk control over broad sweeps that could trigger retaliatory violence.

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The approach also reflects the reality that abductors in north-western Nigeria often exploit difficult terrain and informal mobility routes. In such environments, information locations, lookout patterns, supply lines, communications often determines whether an operation succeeds without civilian casualties.

The abduction and the official communication dispute

The DHQ statement comes amid public scrutiny over conflicting early accounts of what happened in Kurmin Wali.

Reports say gunmen attacked three churches in the community and abducted a large number of worshippers during services. The scale of the incident drew national attention and sharp criticism after Kaduna police initially dismissed the reports as false. Days later, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that an abduction had taken place, saying earlier comments were intended to prevent panic while verification was ongoing.

The episode has prompted criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and opposition political actors, who argue that inconsistencies in official messaging undermine public trust and complicate emergency response.

What to watch next

DHQ has not given a timeline for a rescue, and authorities have not publicly detailed the abductors’ demands in the DHQ account. What is clear from the military’s messaging is the operational posture: continued intelligence-led tracking, coordination with other security agencies, and caution intended to reduce risks to captives.

For residents of Kajuru and nearby communities, the immediate concern is whether this mix of intelligence, surveillance and targeted action translates into a safe release and whether officials can maintain consistent, transparent communication as the operation continues.

Source: The cable