No fewer than 80 worshippers abducted during a Sunday service at Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have escaped from their captors and made their way home, community leaders have confirmed.
The returnees were among about 177 congregants believed to have been kidnapped when armed bandits stormed three churches in the community on January 18, 2026, forcing men, women and children into the bush in a coordinated attack.
According to the village head of Kurmin Wali, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, many of those who escaped did so on the day of the attack itself, fleeing through dense forest corridors in fear and becoming disoriented, which delayed their return.
Dan’azumi explained that the escapees remained hidden in remote settlements and forest hideouts for nearly two weeks out of fear that the worst had happened to them, citing earlier attacks in neighbouring villages where entire communities were destroyed.
He said contact was only re-established recently after one of the escapees contacted the community, enabling teams to locate and verify the whereabouts of the others.
While the news of the escape brings some relief to Kurmin Wali, the village head confirmed that 86 worshippers are still being held by the bandits in forest camps, and efforts to secure their release are ongoing.
Affected families continue to suffer severe trauma amid ongoing insecurity and frustration over what they describe as delayed responses by authorities. Dan’azumi also lamented attempts by some observers to politicise the tragedy, saying the community’s focus remains on the safe return of all captives.
He reiterated an urgent appeal to both the federal and state governments — as well as military and security agencies — to intensify rescue operations and bring the remaining hostages home safely.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, has indicated that an official and comprehensive report on the incident will be released, but has not provided further details as of yet.
