…the village head said, “They called us yesterday evening, accusing the community of bringing soldiers and claiming we said we had influential people backing us because of the military presence,”
KADUNA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Village Head of Kurmin Wali in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, has revealed that the bandits who abducted 177 Christian worshippers were sighted on Thursday morning moving with their captives around the Maro axis of the council.
Speaking with The iNews Times via telephone, Dan’azumi said the abductors and the victims were seen trekking on foot between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, though their destination remains unknown.
According to him, the sighting followed threats allegedly issued by the bandits on Wednesday evening after they observed the presence of security personnel in the area.
“They called us yesterday evening, accusing the community of bringing soldiers and claiming we said we had influential people backing us because of the military presence,” he said.
“We told them we had nobody and did not invite the soldiers. After that, they ended the call, and we have not heard from them since.”
Dan’azumi added that information reached the community early Thursday that the abductors and their captives were moving through bush paths between Ungwan Gamu and Maro.
“This morning, we were informed that they were seen trekking with our people between Ungwan Gamu and Maro, but we don’t know where they are heading,” he said.
The traditional ruler expressed serious concern for the safety of the abducted worshippers and urged 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 frequently affected by banditry and kidnappings in Southern Kaduna. The area’s dense forests and difficult terrain have long provided hideouts for armed groups.
Residents of Kajuru have endured repeated attacks, mass abductions and destruction of farmlands, forcing many villagers to flee their homes due to persistent insecurity.
Despite ongoing military operations in parts of Southern Kaduna, bandits have continued to carry out attacks in villages, often targeting places of worship, farms and highways.
The 177 worshippers were abducted during church services in Kurmin Wali on Sunday, triggering public outrage and renewed calls from religious leaders, community stakeholders and civil society groups for decisive action to curb mass kidnappings in the state.
The abductors had earlier contacted community leaders, demanding the return of 17 motorcycles allegedly seized during recent military operations as a condition for releasing the victims, further complicating efforts to resolve the crisis.
The incident has heightened fear and tension across Kajuru Local Government Area and neighbouring communities, as families of the abducted worshippers anxiously await their safe return.
