Abducted 177 Kaduna worshippers sighted being moved by bandits — Village Head

The Village Head of Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, has revealed that the bandits who abducted 177 Christian worshippers have been sighted moving with their captives through parts of the council area.

Dan’azumi said the abductors and their victims were seen trekking on foot around the Maro axis, between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities. He added that their exact destination remains unknown.

According to the traditional ruler, the movement followed threats allegedly issued by the bandits on Wednesday evening after they noticed the presence of security operatives in the area.

“They called us yesterday evening and accused the community of inviting soldiers.

“They said we were claiming to have influential people backing us because of the military presence,” Dan’azumi said.

“We explained to them that we did not invite the soldiers and that we have no one backing us.

“After that conversation, they ended the call, and we have not heard from them since,” he added.

Dan’azumi said residents later received information early Thursday that the abductors were seen moving with the victims through bush paths linking Ungwan Gamu and Maro.

“This morning, we were told that they were sighted trekking with our people between Ungwan Gamu and Maro, but we do not know where they are heading,” he said.

The village head expressed serious concern over the safety of the abducted worshippers and appealed to security agencies to intensify surveillance and rescue efforts to secure their release.

Kurmin Wali, Ungwan Gamu and Maro are rural communities in Kajuru Local Government Area, a region that has remained a hotspot for banditry and kidnappings in Southern Kaduna.

The area is characterised by vast forests and rugged terrain, which criminal groups have exploited to establish hideouts and launch attacks on nearby communities.

Residents of Kajuru have repeatedly suffered mass abductions, killings and destruction of farmlands, forcing many villagers to flee their homes at different times due to persistent insecurity.

The 177 worshippers were abducted on Sunday during church services in Kurmin Wali community, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls from religious leaders, community stakeholders and civil society groups for urgent action to end mass kidnappings in the state.

The abductors had earlier contacted community leaders, allegedly demanding the return of 17 motorcycles lost during recent military operations in the area as a condition for the release of the captives, further complicating efforts to resolve the situation.

The incident has heightened fear and tension across Kajuru Local Government Area and surrounding communities, as families of the abducted worshippers anxiously await news of their safe return.