How gunmen kidnapped 66 worshippers from Kaduna church – Member

Joshua Alamageni, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakkau Daji in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has narrated how suspected gunmen numbering about 50 stormed the church in broad daylight, and kidnapped 66 members during service.

WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that suspected kidnappers had stormed the church on October 31, 2021, and kidnapped the worshippers.

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

Also, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the kidnap but was silent on the number of victims. He only said a worshipper was shot dead, while others sustained injuries.

However, Alamageni, 46, who spoke to a journalist who was on a fact-finding visit to the church, said he narrowly escaped being kidnapped, as he went to change his money to lower denomination for church offerings when the kidnappers arrived.

He said the church was filled to capacity and members were singing praises and worshipping God when suddenly, they heard gunshots.

“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.