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 were seen on Thursday morning moving with their captives around the Maro axis of the council area.
Dan’azumi disclosed this in a telephone interview with PUNCH Online, stating that the abductors and their victims were sighted trekking on foot through bush paths between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities, although their destination remains unknown.
According to the traditional ruler, the development followed threats allegedly issued by the bandits on Wednesday evening after they observed the presence of security operatives in the area.
“They called us yesterday evening and accused the community of bringing soldiers, claiming that we were boasting of having ‘big people’ backing us because of the military presence,” Dan’azumi said.
“We explained to them that we had no such backing and that we did not invite the soldiers. After that conversation, they ended the call and we have not heard from them since.”
He added that residents later received reports early on Thursday that the bandits and their captives had been sighted moving on foot 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 do not know where they are heading,” he said.
The village head expressed serious concern over the safety of the abducted worshippers and urged security agencies to intensify surveillance and rescue operations to secure their release.
Kurmin Wali, Ungwan Gamu and Maro are rural communities in Kajuru Local Government Area, one of the areas worst affected by banditry and kidnapping in Southern Kaduna. The region’s vast forests and rugged terrain have been exploited by armed groups to establish hideouts and carry out attacks on communities.
Residents of Kajuru have endured repeated incidents of mass abductions, killings and destruction of farmlands, forcing many villagers to flee their homes at various times due to persistent insecurity.
Despite ongoing military operations in parts of Southern Kaduna, bandit attacks have continued, frequently targeting places of worship, farmlands and major routes.
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 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 in the area as a condition for the release of the victims, further complicating negotiations.
The incident has heightened fear and tension across Kajuru Local Government Area and surrounding communities, as families of the abducted worshippers await their safe return.
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