Idris Madami, a 50-year-old man, has recounted how suspected bandits stormed the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area and abducted 177 worshippers last Sunday during church service.
Madami, head of the family, who looked weak and traumatised, disclosed on Tuesday in Kurmin Wali that 31 members of his family, including children, were kidnapped alongside other worshippers.
Madami said he hid inside the church bathroom while the bandits were busy gathering worshippers in one place before moving them to an unknown location.
According to him, the mother of a three-week-old baby and her child were among those whisked away by the bandits.
He said the suspected bandits were yet to contact the community over a possible ransom demand.
Madami said, “It was the miracle of God that I escaped the bandits. They picked me up during their raid in Kurmin Wali, where worshippers were kidnapped. When the bandits moved me to another church to assemble with other worshippers, that was when I managed to escape. I hid inside the church toilet, and they did not check very well before moving away with other worshippers to an unknown location.
“Thirty-one members of my family were kidnapped, but three later escaped on their way to the kidnappers’ camp that same day.
“Among those kidnapped was a woman who had just delivered a baby. The baby is not up to three months old; the baby is about three weeks old. The bandits took the mother and the baby into the bush, and they are with them there. The woman’s name is Narba Maigirima. It is a painful situation we are in,” he narrated.
Another resident, who identified himself simply as Bitrus, said the experience of the attack would not fade from their memories for years to come.
“We thank God that nobody died that day, but we don’t know what those kidnapped are going through in the bush. We appeal to the government to rescue them safely,” he said.
Police, Military Deploy Forces
In efforts to rescue the kidnapped Kajuru worshippers, the Nigerian Police have deployed a helicopter to conduct aerial surveillance around the community and areas linking the Rijana axis.
Police and military armoured vehicles were also seen stationed within and outside the Kurmin Wali community.
Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, declined to comment on the security strategies being deployed to rescue those affected.
Rijana Is Epicentre Of Insecurity, Banditry In Nigeria – Gov Sani
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has promised that his administration, in collaboration with other security agencies, will ensure the safe return of all those abducted in Kurmin Wali village on Sunday.
The governor made the pledge on Wednesday when he led a large delegation of senior government officials and heads of security agencies to commiserate with the people of Kurmin Wali, saying he would not rest until the abducted worshippers are returned safely.
“In the last two days, we have been collaborating with the relevant security agencies — the military, the DSS, the police and the Office of the National Security Adviser — to ensure the quick return and recovery of our people who were abducted in this very important community,” he said.
Governor Sani noted that the military had contained insecurity along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, but that bandits had found safer havens in the hinterland.
He disclosed that Kurmin Wali is close to Rijana town, one of the epicentres of banditry in the country.
He further remarked that the number of those kidnapped did not matter, adding that whether it was one person or 100 people, “it is the responsibility of the Kaduna State Government to protect the lives and property of the people.”
The governor condemned those using the unfortunate incident to score political points, admonishing that “we should not be talking about numbers or politics.”
“We are talking about the sanctity of human life and dignity here. That is the reason why we will go to any length, collaborating with the security agencies, to ensure the quick return of our people here in Kurmin Wali,” he said.
Governor Sani also promised that the Kaduna State Government would foot the medical bills of those who sustained injuries during the incident.
He further said he would liaise with the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, to station a military base in the community, given its proximity to kidnapping black spots.
Kurmi Wali to get health facility, access road
The governor promised that the Kaduna State Government would build a Primary Healthcare Centre in Kurmin Wali as well as construct the road linking the community to the highway to provide access to Kurmin Wali.
“The people of Kurmin Wali, just like other communities in Kaduna State, have absolute trust and belief in our government because they know we are running an inclusive government.
“We protect the lives of everyone, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation. We are one in Kaduna State. I am happy that the people of Kurmin Wali have understood that clearly.
“That is why, when we came here, you could see how they received us warmly. Even those who are mourning and grieving are with the government,” he added.
In his address, the traditional ruler of the area, Agwam Kufana, Chief Dauda Titus, said he was in church on Sunday when he received a distress call from Kurmin Wali about the attack.
He said, “We refused to comment on the incident since Sunday because we did not know the number of those kidnapped. We only said there was an attack and that some people were abducted.”
Chief Titus pleaded with the Kaduna State Government to construct the access road from the highway to Kurmin Wali, adding that the trip from the main road to the community, which should take 10 minutes, takes 30 minutes.
The Agwam Kufana also requested the provision of additional social amenities for the community.
Speaking during the visit, the national president of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Emmanuel Tabara, commended Governor Uba Sani for visiting Kurmin Wali.
“You are the first governor to visit this community, and I must commend you for your pragmatic leadership. Even in the face of conflicting information, you have initiated action for the rescue of those abducted,” he said.
He assured the governor that the people were behind him, adding that “if detractors want to use this incident to diminish your popularity, they have failed. We have nothing to do with politics but to identify with the altruistic administration of Your Excellency.”
On his part, the Kaduna State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Ashiru Kudan, condemned the abduction of worshippers.
“We pray fervently for the safe and immediate return of every abducted worshipper. Our hearts stand with Kurmin Wali. But prayers alone are not a security strategy. In 2027, Kaduna must end this cycle of failure,” he said.
Our correspondent, who visited Kurmin Wali, observed that residents were grief-stricken and praying for the return of their loved ones, with women struggling to hold back tears.
SOURCE: LEADERSHIP Newspapers
