Worshippers were abducted from a church in northern Nigeria on Sunday morning, and at least one woman escaped after being struck on the head with a rifle. The attack occurred at a branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Kurmin Wali, a village 135km (84 miles) north of Abuja, the nation's capital.
Sarah Peter, not her real name, a 60-year-old victim, described her ordeal to the BBC, stating, "Blood was all over," and recounted being dragged despite her inability to walk. She managed to hide until the attackers were out of sight and crawled back to the village. A large plaster covered a head wound she sustained from the assault.
According to the local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, while 11 people escaped, more than 160 people remain unaccounted for from the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church and two other churches in the same village.
Kidnappings for ransom are a frequent occurrence in Nigeria, particularly in the north-western and central regions. Armed gangs often target vulnerable communities, demanding payments for the release of those abducted. The rise in such incidents has prompted increased security measures by the Nigerian government, but the vastness of the territory and the limited resources of law enforcement agencies pose significant challenges.
The authorities are currently investigating the incident and coordinating efforts to locate the missing individuals. The Christian Association of Nigeria has called for increased security measures to protect religious institutions and communities from further attacks. The long-term impact of these abductions on the affected communities, already struggling with poverty and insecurity, remains a significant concern.
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