Freed Christian worshippers abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday recounted chilling tales of hunger, beatings and strict confinement during their days in bandits’ captivity.
The victims, numbering 172, were received by Governor Uba Sani at the Government House, Kaduna, after their release from the kidnappers’ camps in the forests.
The worshippers were seized on January 18 during Sunday services, triggering widespread outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in rural communities.
Of the abductees, 83 escaped and returned home last Sunday, while the remaining 89 were released in the early hours of Thursday, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 172.
Some of the freed captives told journalists they were forced to trek for six days into the forest before reaching the bandits’ hideout, located near a river, where they were kept under heavy guard and fed sparingly.
“They were giving us food once or twice a day — mostly pap made from maize powder, sometimes masa or bread,” one female victim said. “They brought drinking water from the river near where we camped.
“They prevented us from moving around. Even when you wanted to ease yourself, you had to ask for permission, and they would escort you.”
She added that the captors beat the men regularly and flogged crying children.
“They said the children were disturbing them. It was a horrible experience. We thank God that we came back alive,” she said.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that most of the abducted worshippers were women and children aged between two and 13 years, including nursing mothers and pregnant women.
Receiving the victims, Governor Sani expressed shock at the scale of the attack, saying it occurred despite sustained efforts by his administration to improve security across the state.
“In the last two and a half years, we have worked tirelessly with security agencies to protect lives and property in Kaduna,” he said. “Immediately this incident happened, security agencies and other stakeholders were mobilised to ensure the safe return of these worshippers.”
The governor disclosed that a total of 183 persons were abducted during the attack, with 11 escaping while being moved into the bush.
“Out of the remaining, 83 returned a few days ago, while 89 were rescued just yesterday. Today, I can say without contradiction that everyone abducted from Kurmin Wali has returned,” he said.
Sani added that the victims would not be allowed to go home immediately, as arrangements had been made for medical checks and psychological support.
He condemned attempts to politicise the abduction, describing such actions as “unacceptable,” and reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding residents.
“Our responsibility is clear: we will continue to work day and night to protect lives and property in Kaduna,” the governor said.
Sani also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his concern, saying the president had repeatedly called him since the attack, and expressed appreciation to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and other security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the victims.
The abduction in Kajuru is the latest in a series of attacks linked to armed groups operating across northern Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom and raids on rural communities have continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and worship spaces.
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