By Obinna Uballa
No fewer than 80 worshippers who fled during a bandit attack on Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have returned home after spending nearly two weeks in neighbouring villages.
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Sunday, saying the returnees were among those initially feared abducted during the attack.
Dan’azumi who spoke to Punch Newspaper explained that although about 177 worshippers were first believed to have been taken away by the attackers, 80 were later confirmed to have escaped and sought refuge in nearby communities.
He, however, revealed that 86 worshippers remain in the custody of the bandits.
“We have observed that some people are trying to politicise our situation even as families are going through serious trauma.
“We are appealing to the government and the military to expedite action to secure the safe return of the remaining 86 people still in the bandits’ camp,” Dan’azumi said.
A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the return of the displaced worshippers to sustained security operations targeting bandits’ hideouts across Kajuru and adjoining forest corridors.
Details of how the 80 worshippers escaped, as well as the exact circumstances surrounding those still in captivity, remained unclear as of press time.
The development came amid renewed violence in the area. On Tuesday, bandits reportedly attacked Maikori community in Maro Ward of Kajuru LGA, killing three residents.
A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, identified the victims as Hassan Agola, Lawal Samson and Baba Apolo.
Residents recalled that the Kurmin Wali attack occurred during a Sunday worship session when armed men stormed the community, abducting several worshippers and forcing others to flee.
Families of the abducted victims are said to be living in anxiety but remain hopeful of their safe return, following intensified military operations in the area.
A community source told the newspaper that troops had stepped up patrols and offensive operations in recent days, enabling some displaced residents to cautiously return to their homes.
The fresh killings in Maikori have further heightened tension across Kajuru, with residents and community leaders calling for a stronger and more permanent security presence to prevent further attacks.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police would soon issue a comprehensive report on the incident.
“The police is going to come out with a comprehensive report surrounding the Kurmin Wali abduction,” Mansir said.
Kajuru Local Government Area remains one of the flashpoints of banditry in Kaduna State, with repeated attacks over the years leading to loss of lives, displacement and destruction of property.
