Kajuru abduction: 80 captives escape, return home

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Barely two weeks in kidnappers’ den, no  fewer than 80 worshippers who were abducted during a bandit attack on  Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government. Kaduna State have escaped and returned home, taking refuge in neighbouring villages.

The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the development  in a telephone interview  yesterday.

It was gathered that details surrounding how the 80 worshippers escaped, as well as the exact circumstances of those still in captivity, remain uncertain and sketchy.

Dan’azumi said that although about 177 Christian worshippers were initially believed to have been abducted during the attack, 80 were later confirmed to have escaped and sought safety in nearby communities.

He, however, disclosed that 86 worshippers are still being held captive by the bandits.

“We have observed that 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.

However, a source, attributed the return of the displaced worshippers to sustained security operations targeting bandits’ hideouts across Kajuru and adjoining forest corridors in the area.

I Kurmin Wali was attacked on  Sunday night, January 18, by armed men who stormed the community during a worship session, abducting several worshippers and forcing others to flee their homes.

A community source said  troops had stepped up patrols and offensive operations in recent days, enabling some displaced residents to return to their homes.

Kaduna State Police Command  said the police will release a comprehensive report regarding the victims that escaped from the kidnappers’ den.