At least 80 worshippers who narrowly escaped abduction during a bandit attack on Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have safely returned to their homes after spending nearly two weeks in hiding across nearby villages.
The return of the worshippers was confirmed on Sunday by the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, during a telephone conversation.
According to Dan’azumi, initial reports suggested that about 177 worshippers were taken away during the attack. However, further verification revealed that 80 of them managed to escape from the assailants and sought refuge in neighbouring communities for safety.
He disclosed that despite the return of those who escaped, 86 worshippers are still being held by the bandits.
Dan’azumi expressed concern that some individuals were attempting to politicise the incident, noting that affected families are still grappling with fear and emotional distress.
He appealed to the government and security agencies, particularly the military, to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing the remaining captives and reuniting them with their families.
Meanwhile, a military source, who requested anonymity, attributed the safe return of the displaced worshippers to sustained security operations targeting bandits’ camps within Kajuru and surrounding forest areas.
Efforts to obtain details on how the 80 worshippers escaped, as well as the conditions under which those still held captive remain, were unsuccessful, as information surrounding the incident remains unclear.
The development comes amid continued insecurity in the area. On Tuesday, bandits reportedly carried out another attack on Maikori community in Maro Ward of Kajuru Local Government Area, resulting in the death of three residents.
A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, identified the victims as Hassan Agola, Lawal Samson, and Baba Apolo.
Residents recalled that the Kurmin Wali attack occurred late on a Sunday night when armed men invaded the community during a worship session, abducting several people and forcing others to flee their homes.
Families of those still in captivity are said to be living in fear and uncertainty, although there is cautious optimism following reports of intensified military operations in the region.
A community source disclosed that security forces have increased patrols and offensive actions in recent days, allowing some displaced residents to gradually return to their homes.
The latest attack in Maikori has further heightened tension across Kajuru, with community leaders and residents calling for a more robust and permanent security presence to curb recurring attacks.
Attempts to reach the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not responded to at the time of filing this report.
Kajuru Local Government Area remains one of the most affected regions by banditry in Kaduna State, with years of repeated attacks leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents, and destruction of property.
