One of the freed Kurmin Wali worshippers who was abducted in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State on January 18 during church services, Charles Sambo, has recounted a horrific experience during their stay in the forest with bandits after spending 18 days in captivity.
Bandits had attacked the Kurmin Wali community and whisked away 183 worshippers from the three churches—Cherubim and Seraphim 1 and 2 as well as Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the area.
Eleven worshippers escaped, returned home and were treated as 83 others were later found and returned.
The remaining 89 regained freedom Wednesday and all the victims were received by Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, on Thursday at Government House amidst tears of joy.
Narrating his experience with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Kaduna, Sambo said a bandit angrily used knife and drilled a hole on his hand.
He said although the hole was not deep, it was painful as he screamed for help but none came.
“I don’t want to talk about what happened to me when we were in the forest with bandits.
“I was sitting as they told us to sit without movement, a bandit removed knife and hit me hard. Before I knew it he made a hole in my hand with a knife. It was a painful experience,” he said.
Sambo urged the government to tackle insecurity, especially banditry seriously, adding, “What I saw in the bush I didn’t believe it. Government at all levels should sit up and fight insecurity with every available means.”
