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Christian worshippers abducted from Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released after spending weeks in captivity, multiple sources confirmed on Thursday.
The victims, who were kidnapped during a raid on the community on January 18, were freed late Wednesday night and transported to the Kaduna State Government House, where they arrived around 2:30 p.m. and were received by state officials.
The village head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, confirmed the release in comments reported by Daily Trust, expressing gratitude to the state government and security agencies.
“We received the information today that they have been released. We are happy, and they are currently with the government,” Dan’azumi said, adding that those freed included women, men, and children. He declined to provide further details.
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A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the events surrounding the release, saying residents noticed unusual movement in nearby forests late at night.
“Between about 11 p.m. and midnight, we saw large vehicles enter the forest. Later, between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., they came out with the abducted people from the Maro axis,” the source said, noting uncertainty over who facilitated the release or whether all captives were freed.
About 177 people were initially abducted during the January attack. Reports indicate that roughly 80 victims—mostly children—escaped during the assault and sought refuge in nearby forest settlements.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Kaduna State Government had not officially confirmed the release or provided an exact figure for those freed.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said all 166 worshippers taken during the attack had regained their freedom.
CAN’s Northern Chairman, John Hayab, told the BBC that the victims had returned safely and that no ransom was paid for their release. The Kaduna State Chairman of CAN, Caleb Ma’aji, also confirmed the development.
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Photographs and videos seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed the freed worshippers wearing matching yellow polo shirts and face caps, suggesting coordinated arrangements following their release.
Earlier this week, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani visited the Kaduna State Women and Children’s Shelter, where survivors who escaped captivity were receiving medical care and psychosocial support.
Describing their ordeal as traumatic, the governor reiterated the state’s commitment to security and victim welfare.
“The Kaduna State Government remains steadfast in working closely with security agencies to secure the release of those still in captivity and ensure their safe return,” Sani said.
The abduction and subsequent release shows persistent security challenges in parts of southern Kaduna, where rural communities continue to face attacks despite ongoing counter-kidnapping operations.
