Kaduna worshippers escape abduction as 80 residents of Kurmin Wali in Kajuru Local Government Area have safely returned home after fleeing a bandit attack two weeks ago. The victims had taken refuge in neighbouring villages following a deadly raid on their community during a worship session.
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed that about 177 worshippers were initially believed abducted, but 80 escaped while 86 remain in the hands of bandits. He urged authorities and the military to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity, warning against politicising the crisis.
A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, attributed the safe return of the displaced worshippers to sustained security operations targeting bandit hideouts in Kajuru and nearby forest corridors. Details on how the 80 escaped remain sketchy, and the fate of those still held captive is unclear.
The situation in Kajuru remains tense, with bandits launching another deadly attack on the Maikori community in Maro Ward last Tuesday, killing three residents identified as Hassan Agola, Lawal Samson, and Baba Apolo. Residents continue to live in fear as repeated attacks have caused displacement, trauma, and property loss over the years.
Following the Kurmin Wali raid, families of abducted worshippers had been anxious but hopeful, as troops increased patrols and launched offensive operations in recent days, enabling some displaced residents to cautiously return. Dan’azumi called for urgent government and military intervention to ensure the safe return of all captives.
Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Mansir Hassan was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, community leaders and residents are demanding a stronger and more permanent security presence to prevent further attacks, emphasizing that Kajuru remains one of the state’s flashpoints of banditry.
The return of the 80 worshippers is a rare reprieve amid ongoing insecurity in the region, highlighting both the resilience of affected communities and the urgent need for intensified action against bandits.
