The governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani, has assured residents of Kurmin Wali community that those abducted during Sunday’s attack will soon be reunited with their families.
Gunmen had attacked three churches in the area on Sunday, abducting about 167 worshippers.
During a visit to the community, Sani said the state government is working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
“We have been collaborating in the last two days with relevant security agencies — the military, the DSS, the police, and the Office of the National Security Adviser — to ensure the quick return and recovery of our people abducted in this very important community,” he said.
The governor noted that the exact number of abductees should not be the focus, stressing that the government has a responsibility to protect lives and property whether one person or many are affected.
He criticised attempts to politicise the incident or reduce it to statistics, describing such actions as misplaced.
“We should not be talking about numbers or politics. We are talking about the sanctity of human life and dignity here,” Sani said.
“And that is the reason why we will go to any length, collaborating with the security agencies, to ensure the quick return of our people here in Kurmin Wali.”
Sani also announced that the state government would pay the medical bills of those injured during the attack.
In addition, he said he would engage the minister of defence, Christopher Musa, on the establishment of a military base in the community because of its closeness to banditry-prone areas such as Rijana.
The governor explained that while the military has improved security along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, bandits have shifted their operations to hinterland communities, leaving places like Kurmin Wali exposed.
He added that his administration plans to construct an access road linking the community to the highway and has directed the commissioner for public works to carry out an assessment.
“We protect the lives of everyone, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation. We are one in Kaduna state,” the governor said.