No fewer than 80 church worshippers abducted during a Sunday service at Kurmin Wali, in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escaped from their captors and reunited with their families.

The escapees were among 166 worshippers kidnapped when armed bandits stormed the church about two weeks ago.

Confirming the development on Sunday, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, said earlier reports had put the number of abducted worshippers at about 177, but subsequent verification showed that 80 victims managed to flee and sought refuge in neighbouring communities.
Dan’azumi disclosed that 86 worshippers are still being held captive, appealing to security agencies to intensify rescue efforts to secure their freedom.

“Some people are trying to politicise our situation, even as families of the victims are going through serious trauma,” he said.

“We are appealing to the government and the military to act swiftly to ensure the safe return of the remaining 86 people still in the bandits’ camp,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command said it would issue an official statement on the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said: “The police will release a detailed report on the Kurmin Wali abduction.”