Dozens of worshippers abducted from two churches in Kurmin Wali community of Kaduna State have narrated accounts of hunger, physical abuse and forced trekking during two weeks in bandits’ captivity.
Dozens of worshippers abducted from two churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have recounted their harrowing experiences in the hands of bandits. The victims were kidnapped on January 18, 2026, at about 9am while attending church service and were rescued on Thursday after spending about two weeks in captivity.
One of the rescued victims, Hosea Madami, told Daily Trust that they were subjected to constant abuse and deprivation in the forest. “We suffered a lot in the forest. They beat me on my head and hands. They fed us like dogs, giving us very little food in our hands. There was no salt, so the food had no taste,” he said. Madami added that they were forced to trek for several days under harsh conditions, saying, “We spent almost six days walking in the forest. They kept beating us with sticks. Truly, we suffered greatly.”
Another victim, Rebecca Josiah, described hunger and exhaustion as some of the most unbearable aspects of their ordeal. “I ate only four times in the two weeks we spent in the forest. They gave us kunu, and sometimes tuwo, in our hands,” she said, adding, “If it was too hot, you had to pour it into your clothes. We suffered terribly in their hands. Small children kept crying because of hunger.” She also said they were forced to walk barefoot for days, while another victim, Philomena Jonathan, said the captors provided very little food and frequently beat the men.