Sarah Peter, a victim of a recent church abduction in northern Nigeria, recalls the harrowing moment during the raid when attackers stormed in, resulting in chaos and trauma. At 60 years old, she described how she was struck with a rifle, leaving her bloodied, and emphasized the overpowering fear that gripped her during the nightmare.
On that fateful Sunday morning, as she was worshipping at the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Kurmin Wali, the attackers targeted not only her church but also two others in the village. They violently abducted many worshippers, dragging them away and creating a scene of terror. Blood was all over, Sarah recounts, visibly traumatized as she reflected on her experiences."
Sarah managed to escape her captors, hiding until she was confident they were gone before crawling back to the village, overwhelmed by weakness and fear. She is among the lucky few—only 11 individuals managed to escape the ordeal, while more than 160 remain unaccounted for as confirmed by the local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
The village is situated near the Rijana forest, notorious for being a haven for armed gangs conducting raids and kidnappings. The abduction fits into a broader pattern of insecurity in Nigeria, characterized by rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom.
In the wake of the attack, residents of Kurmin Wali express devastation and fear of subsequent raids, with calls for more robust security measures. Conflicting statements from local authorities initially cast doubt on the claims of the attack; however, after significant community pressure and verified reports, officials acknowledged the event.
Governor Uba Sani pledged to establish military presence in the area and enhance local infrastructure to prevent future attacks. Residents hope that the government's reassurances translate into tangible security improvements and efforts to rescue those still held captive.
