Suspected bandits have abducted six residents of Unguwar Barkono, Mararaban Kajuru, in Kufana Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred barely hours after the Christian Association of Nigeria held prayers for the safe return of 177 worshippers earlier kidnapped in the area.
The gunmen reportedly broke into several homes and whisked the victims away to an unknown destination.
A resident, Steven Kefas, told Vanguard that the raid took place around 1:00am, stressing that it occurred in the heart of Kajuru, not in a remote settlement.
However, the CAN Chairman in Kajuru, Rev. Enoch Kaura, said the abduction happened around 11:00pm, adding that the bandits fled with six residents after neighbours raised the alarm.
The latest incident came hours after a special prayer session was held at Tawaliu Baptist Church on Sunday for the return of the 177 worshippers abducted in Kurmin Wali.
Speaking on the development, the CAN Chairman for the 19 Northern States and FCT, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, urged churches to strengthen their internal security, warning that unrestricted access exposes congregations to serious danger.
Rev. Kaura condemned the attack and criticised the government’s initial denial of the abduction of the 117 worshippers.
“This is condemnable. The government initially denied the abduction of the 117 people. Authorities should intensify security operations in Kajuru to prevent further attacks and secure the release of all abducted worshippers,” he said.