Gunmen who abducted more than 160 church worshippers in north-west Nigeria have demanded motorcycles as ransom, according to local community leaders.
The attack took place on Sunday in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed men stormed three separate church services. A total of 177 people were taken, though 11 later managed to escape, residents said.
Local sources told reporters that the kidnappers have contacted families of those taken and are asking for 17 motorcycles before talks on release can begin. Each motorcycle is valued at about 1,000 US dollars.
Ishaku Dan’azumi, the village head of Kurmin Wali, said the abductors have not yet asked for cash payments. Another community leader, Sebastine Barde, explained that the motorcycles are believed to be replacements for ones the gunmen previously lost.
Armed groups operating in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions often use motorcycles to travel quickly through forests, where they hide from security forces and carry out attacks on rural communities.
Nigerian security agencies have deployed special teams to search for the abducted worshippers. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani visited the affected communities on Wednesday and said the government is working closely with security forces to secure the victims’ release.
The abductions come amid growing international concern over insecurity in Nigeria. The United States has criticised Nigerian authorities for failing to protect Christian communities during the ongoing crisis, though both Christians and Muslims have been affected by violence.
Tensions between the two countries increased after the United States carried out a military strike in December against suspected Islamic State-linked fighters in Nigeria, an action Nigerian officials said was conducted with their knowledge.
Adapted from Religion News Service.
