Nigerian police have confirmed that armed bandits abducted dozens of villagers in Kaduna State over the weekend, reversing their initial dismissal of the incident.
In a statement released Tuesday, national police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin acknowledged an “abduction” occurred Sunday and announced security operations to locate and rescue victims. He explained earlier denials were “intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed,” though the statement did not specify how many people were taken.
Reverend John Hayab, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the north, told Reuters that at least 172 worshippers were kidnapped from three churches in Kurmin Wali village, with nine later escaping, leaving 163 still missing. Kaduna State lawmaker Usman Danlami Stingo put the number at 168 missing.
According to Al Jazeera, dozens of gunmen stormed the village during Sunday prayers, abducting approximately a quarter of residents. The bandits have demanded the return of 10 motorcycles they allegedly hid in the area as a condition for releasing captives. Villagers say they don’t know the bikes’ location and have been robbed to the point of barely affording food.
The attack represents the latest in a wave of mass kidnappings targeting both Christians and Muslims across northern and central Nigeria. Armed gangs, locally known as “bandits,” frequently conduct kidnappings for ransom.
In November, over 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school in Niger State before eventually being released.
