The Village Head of Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, has raised alarm over the safety of scores of Christian worshippers abducted by bandits.
A total of 177 worshippers were initially taken away during the attacks, but 11 later escaped, leaving 166 people, including women and children, still in captivity.
The traditional ruler revealed that the captors were sighted moving with their victims on Thursday morning along the Maro axis of the council area.
Dan’azumi told The PUNCH in a telephone interview that the abductors and their captives were seen trekking on foot between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, although their ultimate destination remained unknown.
“They called us yesterday evening and threatened the community, accusing us of bringing soldiers. They said we were claiming to have ‘big people’ backing us because of the military presence,” the traditional ruler said.
“We explained to them that we don’t have anybody and that we did not invite the soldiers. After that conversation, they ended the call, and we have not heard from them again.”
He added that residents later received information early Thursday that the abductors and their captives had been spotted moving through bush paths between Ungwan Gamu and Maro.
“This morning, we were told that they were seen moving on foot with our people between Ungwan Gamu and Maro, but we do not know exactly where they are heading,” Dan’azumi said.
The Village Head expressed deep concern for the welfare of the abducted worshippers and urged security agencies to intensify surveillance and rescue operations.
According to The PUNCH, Kurmin Wali, Ungwan Gamu, and Maro are rural communities in Kajuru, one of the hotbeds of banditry and kidnapping in Southern Kaduna. The area, marked by dense forests and rugged terrain, has long served as hideouts for armed groups targeting rural settlements.
Residents of Kajuru have endured repeated mass abductions, killings, and destruction of farmlands, forcing many villagers to flee due to insecurity.
Despite ongoing military operations in parts of Southern Kaduna, attacks persist, often targeting churches, farmlands, and highways.
The 177 worshippers were kidnapped on Sunday during church services in Kurmin Wali, sparking outrage and renewed calls by religious leaders, community stakeholders, and civil society groups for decisive government action.
Earlier, it was reported that the bandits had demanded the payment of ₦28.9 million for 17 motorcycles they claimed were lost during recent military operations before any ransom negotiations could begin for the captives.
The armed group, according to community leaders and family members, insists that each of the missing motorcycles is worth ₦1.7 million and that the total amount must be paid as a precondition before they will state how much ransom they want for the release of the abducted worshippers, according to The PUNCH.
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