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“It Was a Miracle”: 82 Kidnapped Worshippers Escape Bandits’ Den

Metro Desk

KADUNA — Tears of joy mixed with anxiety in Kaduna today as Governor Uba Sani confirmed the return of 82 worshippers who spent over two weeks in the captivity of bandits following the mass abduction in Kajuru Local Government Area.

The victims, who looked haggard but relieved, were part of the 177 congregants snatched during a coordinated attack on three churches—Catholic, ECWA, and Cherubim & Seraphim—in Kurmin Wali village on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

While the return of the 82 marks a significant breakthrough, the village remains in mourning as 86 others are still held in the forest, with their captors reportedly demanding a massive ransom.

The Great Escape

The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, revealed that the victims did not just “walk free” but seized a window of opportunity to escape.

  • The Moment: According to Dan’azumi, the 80+ victims fled into the deep forest when the bandits were distracted during a military raid on a nearby camp.
  • The Journey: They trekked for days through the bush before making contact with the community. “They ran because of fear,” the Village Head told reporters. “They thought they would be killed like the people in the next village.”

Governor Sani’s Visit

Governor Uba Sani, who had earlier faced criticism over the state’s handling of the crisis, visited the survivors at the Kaduna State Women and Children Shelter on Thursday morning.

  • The Action: He ordered immediate medical attention and psychosocial support for the traumatized women and children.
  • The Promise: “We will not rest until the remaining 86 are back,” the Governor vowed. “This is a fight for the soul of our state. These bandits have touched the house of God, and they will face the wrath of the law.”

Police “Denial” Backfires

The confirmation of the 177 abductees has embarrassed the Kaduna State Police Command, which had initially denied the mass abduction.

  • The Controversy: When the news first broke in January, Police officials dismissed the figures as “exaggerated” and “fake news.”
  • The Reality: The physical return of 82 people—and the confirmed list of 86 still missing—has silenced the denials, forcing the Command to issue a retraction.

“We Need the Rest Back”

For the families of the remaining 86, the celebration is bitter. Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna, urged the government to sustain the military pressure. “We thank God for the 82,” Hayab said. “But we cannot celebrate fully when 86 seats in our churches are still empty. The government must stop denying the numbers and start rescuing the people.”

As the 82 survivors reunite with their families, the focus shifts to the fate of those left behind in the bandits’ camps, facing hunger, torture, and the threat of execution if ransoms remain unpaid.