No fewer than 40 people were abducted by bandits during a church service at Bege Baptist Church, Madala along Buruku Baringi road in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The state chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state Chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen, said the gunmen invaded the church on Sunday morning, May 7, 2023.
According to Rev. Hayab, 15 worshippers later escaped while the remaining 25 are still in captivity.
“The worshippers were in the Sunday service around 9:30 am when they heard gunshots very close to the Church. The gunmen attacked the Church and went away with 40 worshippers,” he explained.
“Along the way, somehow 15 of the kidnapped persons returned remaining the rest 25 who are presently in captivity without any word from their abductors.”
Hayab said that efforts are being made to get in contact with the abductors concerning the remaining people and prayed that the abductors would be merciful to release the remaining 25 back to their families.
Reacting to the development, the state Police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige, said the state police command has not been briefed by the DPO in charge of the area.
The PPRO promised to contact the DPO of the affected area for prompt action.