Headlines
Second Attack in One Week: Bandits Abduct 177 Worshippers in Southern Kaduna
Panic has gripped Kurmin Wali in southern Kaduna after gunmen abducted 177 Christian worshippers in what was the community’s second attack within a week.
The assailants struck on Sunday, storming three churches and seizing over 100 worshippers during the services.
Initial reports of the incident were, however, played down on Monday by the Kaduna State Government, the state police command and the chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, despite confirmation by the Northern CAN chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, who had briefed journalists in Kaduna.
The police later reversed their stance. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, acknowledged the abductions late Tuesday via X, explaining that earlier remarks by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, were not intended to deny the incident but were issued while awaiting full verification, including the identities and number of victims.
Linus Abu, a villager, told the media that the community had barely recovered from an earlier attack on January 11, when suspected armed Fulani militia kidnapped several residents.
“We paid N23m as ransom before those kidnapped on January 11 were released,” Abu said. “The terrorists called us on the phone and gave instructions. Some of our people had to carry the money in sacks and take it to them inside the bush.”
According to reports, 11 of the 177 abducted villagers escaped but unlike the earlier attack, the abductors have not formally demanded ransom for the 166 victims – who include women and children – still in captivity from the January 18 attack.
It was also learnt that the bandits demanded the return of 17 motorcycles they allegedly lost during recent military operations as a condition for the release of the victims.
“They said each bike is worth N1.7m, and we must pay for all of them before they will demand the actual ransom for the hostages,” Abu said.
It means the villagers would be forced to pay about N28.9m for the motorcycles alone, separate from the ransom for the captives.
According to Dan’azumi, the armed men accused members of the Kurmin Wali community of stealing the motorcycles and tampering with others by removing carburettors and spark plugs.
The abductors, according to Dan’azumi, are yet to demand any cash ransom, saying their only requests so far relate to motorcycles and the replacement of certain parts.
He also linked the large-scale abduction to ongoing military operations targeting bandit enclaves within parts of Kajuru Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered a mass exodus from the community, with fear forcing many residents to abandon their homes for nearby villages.
Daily life has ground to a halt, as schools and farms have been deserted.
Punch
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