No fewer than 80 church worshippers abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State have escaped from captivity and reunited with their families.
The worshippers were among 166 people kidnapped during a Sunday church service at Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area about two weeks ago.
Confirming the development on Sunday, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, said initial reports had put the number of abducted worshippers at 177, but verification later showed that 80 victims managed to escape from the bandits’ camp and sought refuge in neighbouring communities.
According to him, 86 worshippers remain in captivity, as he appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release.
Dan’azumi lamented attempts by some individuals to politicise the incident, noting that families of the abducted victims are currently battling severe emotional trauma.
“Some people are trying to politicise our situation, even as families of the victims are going through serious trauma,” he said.
“We are appealing to the government and the military to act swiftly to ensure the safe return of the remaining 86 people still in the bandits’ camp,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command said it would issue an official statement on the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, stated that the command would soon release a detailed report on the Kurmin Wali church abduction.
