…15 others returned – or escaped.

by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna 

About 40 people have been reportedly abducted by gunmen during a Church service at Bege Baptist Church, Madala, along Buruku Baringi Road, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

Confirming the incident, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the terrorists invaded the area on the morning during church service hour last Sunday. 

“The worshippers were in the Sunday service in the Church around 9:30am when gun shots rented the air, very close to the Church. The gunmen attacked the Church and went away with 40 worshippers.”

He said on their way, 15 of the kidnapped victims, however, returned back, but the reasons for their release has not been clearly stated.

“Along the way, somehow, 15 of the kidnapped persons return, remaining the rest 25 who are presently in captivity without any word from their abductors.”

According to him, efforts are being made to get in contact with the abductors concerning the remaining people, and prayed that the abductors will be merciful to release the remaining 25 back to their families.

When contacted, the state Police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige, promised journalists to contact the police DPO of the affected area for prompt action, but the press could not hear from him until the time of filing this report.