CRIME
80 Kidnapped Kaduna Church Worshippers Escape After Two Weeks in Hiding as 86 Others Remain in Bandits’ Den, Community Leaders Appeal for Urgent Military Intervention
At least 80 worshippers who escaped abduction during a deadly bandit attack on Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have safely returned to their homes after spending about two weeks taking refuge in neighbouring villages.
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the development during a telephone interview on Sunday, explaining that several of the worshippers who were initially taken by the attackers managed to escape from captivity and hide in nearby settlements before gradually finding their way back home.
According to Dan’azumi, while early reports indicated that about 177 worshippers were abducted during the attack, further investigations revealed that 80 of them successfully escaped. However, he disclosed that 86 worshippers are still being held by the bandits.
“Some people are trying to politicise our situation even as families are going through serious trauma,”
“We are appealing to the government and the military to expedite action to secure the safe return of the remaining 86 people still in the bandits’ camp,” Dan’azumi said.
A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the return of the displaced worshippers to sustained security operations targeting bandits’ hideouts across Kajuru Local Government Area and adjoining forest corridors. The source explained that continuous pressure from security forces has disrupted the movements of the criminal gangs, creating opportunities for some captives to escape.
Despite the encouraging development, details surrounding how the 80 worshippers escaped, as well as the exact conditions of those still in captivity, remain unclear.
The situation in Kajuru continues to be volatile. On Tuesday, bandits reportedly carried out another attack on Maikori community in Maro Ward of the same local government area, killing three residents.
A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, identified the victims as Hassan Agola, Lawal Samson, and Baba Apolo.
Residents recounted that the Kurmin Wali attack occurred on a Sunday night when heavily armed men stormed the community during a worship session, abducting several worshippers and forcing many others to flee into the surrounding bushes and villages.
Families of the abducted worshippers are said to be living in deep anxiety but remain hopeful that their loved ones will be rescued following intensified military operations in the area.
A community source revealed that troops have increased patrols and offensive operations in recent days, allowing some displaced residents to cautiously return to their homes, although fear still pervades the community.
The latest killings in Maikori have further heightened tension across Kajuru, with residents and community leaders calling for a stronger and more permanent security presence to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among the population.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police would issue a comprehensive report on the incident.
“The police will come out with a comprehensive report surrounding the Kurmin Wali abduction,” he said.
Kajuru Local Government Area has in recent times become one of the major flashpoints of banditry in Kaduna State, with recurring attacks over the years resulting in loss of lives, mass displacement of residents, and widespread destruction of property.