Kaduna Abduction: 80 kidnapped worshippers escape from bandits’ den

There is a mix of relief and lingering anxiety in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after 80 worshippers abducted during a bandit attack have been found, while 86 others remain missing.

The development was confirmed by the Village Head of Kurmin Wali in the Kufana Chiefdom, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, who disclosed that the victims were located nearly two weeks after the violent raid that shook the quiet community.

According to him, the attackers had stormed the area and targeted places of worship, abducting dozens of residents from at least three churches during the assault. The incident left families devastated and the entire community gripped by fear.

Recall that the attack sparked public outrage, with many Nigerians calling on the Federal Government to intervene and rescue those taken.

Explaining the delay in locating the escapees, Dan’azumi said the 80 victims fled through nearby forests on the day of the attack and hid in remote settlements out of fear, which made communication difficult.

“We have now confirmed that 80 of our people have been found in different locations. They ran through the forest and hid because of fear on the very day of the incident,” he said.

According to him, contact was only re-established after one of the escapees reached out to the community a few days ago and disclosed their location, prompting a verification exercise.

“One of them called and told us where they were. We sent people there and confirmed their whereabouts. They were afraid because they thought what happened to a nearby village, where bandits burnt down the entire community, had happened to us. That was why they did not reach out immediately,” he explained.

The village head said a headcount carried out on Friday confirmed that 80 people had been found in various bush settlements. He added that search teams were also deployed to forest locations to determine whether more victims were still in hiding.

Dan’azumi noted that the state government had been formally informed of the development, but fear continued to prevent some of the escapees from returning home.

“We have informed the government that 80 people have been found. They want us to gather them together, but fear is stopping many of them from returning. However, we have spoken with them and confirmed their locations,” he said.

Recall that on January 18 that bandits invaded Kurmin Wali in a coordinated attack on churches, abducting 177 women, children and men.

The incident triggered nationwide concern, although the Kaduna State government and the police initially denied that any abduction had occurred. The authorities later reversed the denial, confirmed the attack and assured the public that rescue efforts were underway.

(DAILY TRUST)