How Gunmen Kidnapped 66 Worshippers From Kaduna Church – Member

Mr. Joshua Alamageni, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakkau Daji in Kaduna State’s Chikun Local Government Area, has described how suspected gunmen numbering around 50 invaded the church in broad daylight and kidnapped 66 members during a service.

On October 31, 2021, alleged kidnappers stormed the church and seized the worshippers, according to the DAILY POST.

Rev. Joseph Hayab, Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the number of abductees.

Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, acknowledged the kidnapping but did not provide the number of victims. He merely stated that one worshipper was killed and that others were injured.

However, Alamageni, 46, who talked to DAILYPOST while on a fact-finding mission to the church, said he narrowly avoided being kidnapped when the kidnappers arrived as he went to change his money to a lower denomination for church offerings.

He claimed that the church was packed to capacity and that members were singing praises and worshiping God when gunshots rang out.

“It was 9.30am in the morning. While members were singing praises to Almighty God, all of a sudden, we heard gunshots that rented the air.

“Everywhere was quiet as members’ praises to God came to an abrupt end. Although I was not too far from where I went to look for the lower denomination of money I had, I stood faraway and was seeing everybody.

“The gunmen first went to the teenage church, but later changed their minds and moved towards the adult church when a sound of a gun rented the air.”

He said it was the sound of guns that made worshipers abandon their Bibles, bags, and other valuables and scamper for their lives.

“The pastor of the church hid under the church table, as that wasn’t enough, he jumped through the window and ran into the bush.

“Many who could not run because of fear, were captured by the bandits and were given their matching order to the bush. Although, the kidnappers succeeded in killing one of our members who was running to a safe bush,” he added.

Hayab and some church elders told DAILY POST that the kidnappers are yet to make contact with them.