The bandits who abducted 177 worshippers from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have demanded the return of 17 motorcycles allegedly lost during recent military operations as a condition for the victims’ release.

The worshippers were kidnapped on Sunday morning during coordinated attacks on three churches in the community.

The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, disclosed this in a telephone interview on Wednesday, saying the bandits contacted a negotiator acting on behalf of the community and insisted that the missing motorcycles must be returned before the captives could regain their freedom.

“They said each bike is worth N1.7m, and we must pay for all of them before they will demand the actual ransom for the hostages,” said Linus Abu, a villager.

It means the villagers would be forced to pay about N28.9m for the motorcycles alone, separate from the ransom for the captives.

According to Dan’azumi, the abducted worshippers were taken from Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and 2, as well as ECWA Church.

He said the armed men accused members of the Kurmin Wali community of stealing the motorcycles and tampering with others by removing carburettors and spark plugs.

“They called the negotiator on the telephone and said that 17 of their motorcycles disappeared. They insisted that all the motorcycles must be returned and damaged parts replaced before they can release our people,” the village head said.

Dan’azumi added that the bandits had not demanded any monetary ransom so far.

“Apart from the issue of the motorcycles and replacement of some parts, they have not asked for money,” he stated.

He further revealed that the mass abduction was linked to ongoing military offensives against bandit camps in parts of Kajuru Local Government Area.

The abduction of the 177 victims, most of whom are Christian worshippers, has sparked outrage and fear across communities in Southern Kaduna.

Other sources confirmed that the attack was carried out by bandits fleeing sustained military operations in parts of neighbouring Kauru Local Government Area

According to the sources, troops recently dislodged armed groups from key hideouts, forcing them to abandon their camps and scatter into nearby areas, including Kajuru.

“The assailants were forced out of their camps during intense military offensives and allegedly carried out the mass abduction while attempting to escape mounting pressure from security forces,” one of the sources said.

The affected camps, located around Gabachua, Legede and the Agwalla mountain and forest corridors, were described as long-established enclaves used by bandits to launch kidnappings, cattle rustling, and violent attacks across Kauru, Kajuru and adjoining communities.

While recent offensives have led to the destruction of several bandit camps and the neutralisation of suspected criminals, security analysts warned that dislodged fighters often resort to attacking soft targets while attempting to evade capture.

Residents and community leaders in the affected LGAs have urged the Federal and Kaduna State governments to sustain military pressure, deploy additional troops, and strengthen intelligence gathering to protect vulnerable communities and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted worshippers. (Pieced together from reports by The Sun and The PUNCH)