On Sunday morning, a group of suspected terrorists kidnapped
about 40 worshippers from Bege Baptist
Church in Madala, located on Buruku
Birnin Gwari road in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The
incident occurred around 9:30am, following a series of gunshots that were heard
near the church.
According to the state Chairman of the Christian Association
of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab, 15 of the kidnapped victims were able
to escape, but the remaining 25 were taken captive by the abductors. Hayab
revealed that the worshippers were attending the Sunday service at the church when
the gunmen attacked and took away the 40 people.
Hayab further stated that along the way, the 15 kidnapped
persons who managed to escape were able to return to safety, but the remaining
25 are still being held captive with no communication from their abductors. The
CAN Chairman expressed concern for the safety and well-being of the kidnapped
victims and their families, and called for the immediate release of the
remaining 25 worshippers.
Efforts are being made to establish communication with the
abductors, according to Hayab, and he appealed to them to show mercy by
releasing the remaining captives. The Police spokesman for Kaduna command, DSP
Mohammed Jalige, stated that he would provide an update on the situation before
the end of the day. The incident has caused fear and concern among residents of
the area, as such incidents have become increasingly common in recent times.
