By Eteteonline
Fears of growing insecurity around the nation have been heightened by armed bandits’ demands for the release of 177 worshippers kidnapped at a religious gathering in Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna, in exchange for a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles.
During a service, the attackers invaded the place of worship, blasting bullets into the air and frightening the congregation, kidnapping the believers. According to witnesses, the attackers arrived on motorbikes, overpowered the venue’s security, and then drove an unknown number of worshippers into the nearby bush.
According to community sources, the bandits then got in touch with the victims’ families and demanded the large sum of money in ransom, along with motorcycles, which are frequently utilized by criminal organizations to get over challenging terrain and avoid law enforcement.
A source connected with the negotiations, who wished to remain anonymous owing to security concerns, stated, “The kidnappers warned that failure to meet their demands would have serious consequences.”
The public has been reassured by security authorities that they are aware of the situation and that they are working to free the kidnapped worshippers and dismantle the criminal network that carried out the atrocity. According to a security source, intelligence-led operations are being conducted to find the bandits’ hiding places, and troops and other operatives have been sent to sweep the region.
Many members of the impacted community have avoided public events and places of worship as a result of their fear and uncertainty. Leaders in the community have denounced the incident, calling it an outright violation of religious liberty and harmony within the community.
They urged the federal and state governments to take more aggressive steps to stop abduction and banditry, which have persisted in numerous regions of the nation despite continuous military operations, and to bolster security around vulnerable groups, especially religious centers.
Families of the kidnapped worshippers are allegedly still in agony while talks go on, wishing for their safe return as worries about the expense of ransom demands and the ongoing targeting of people mount.
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