According to Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, the village elder of Kurmin Wali in the Kufana Chiefdom of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, 80 of the individuals thought to have been kidnapped from the community approximately two weeks ago have been found, while 86 others are still unaccounted for.
A week ago, gunmen stormed the village and kidnapped attendees from at least three churches.
Many people were furious over the incident and demanded that the federal government come to their aid.
Speaking on the incident, Dan’azumi claimed that the 80 victims delayed their return and contact with authorities by hiding in isolated areas and escaping via the forest.
The village elder of Kurmin Wali in the Kufana Chiefdom of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, said 80 of the individuals thought to have been kidnapped from the community approximately two weeks ago have been found, while 86 others are still unaccounted for.
A week ago, gunmen stormed the village and kidnapped attendees from at least three churches, as reported by Daily Trust.
Many people were furious over the incident and demanded that the federal government come to their aid.
Speaking on the incident, Dan’azumi claimed that the 80 victims delayed their return and contact with authorities by hiding in isolated areas and escaping via the forest.
In his words,
“We have now confirmed that 80 of our people have been found in different locations. They ran through the forest and hid because of fear on the very day of the incident; one of them called and told us where they were. We sent people there and confirmed their whereabouts. They were afraid because they thought what happened to a nearby village, where bandits burnt down the entire community, had happened to us. That was why they did not reach out immediately.”
According to the village chief, a headcount carried out on Friday verified the number of 80 people discovered in various bush settlement areas. He also mentioned that search teams were dispatched to forest settlements to see whether any other casualties were still in hiding.
He continued by saying that the authorities had been officially notified of the situation and that, despite the fact that some of the individuals discovered had returned home, fear was still keeping others from doing so.
The government has been notified that 80 individuals have been located. Many of them are afraid to return, yet they want us to bring them all together. But we’ve talked to them and verified where they are,” he stated.
On January 18, the Daily Trust claimed that 177 women, children, and men were kidnapped by bandits during a coordinated attack on churches in Kurmin Wali.
Although the state government and the police first denied that any kidnapping had occurred, the episode raised concerns across the country. The denial was then withdrawn by the authorities, who confirmed the attack and assured the public that rescue attempts were still underway.
In the meantime, it was discovered that Kaduna State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, has met with traditional and community leaders in nearby villages, including Fulani ardos and youth leaders, in an effort to promote peaceful coexistence and find local support in addressing the region’s insecurity.
When questioned about the claimed finding of 80 victims, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, merely stated that the command was awaiting a thorough official report before issuing a public remark.
