Defence authorities in Nigeria say they are doing all they can to secure the safe release of over 150 people abducted in the state of Kaduna.

The hostages were kidnapped after gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali, a village in the Kajuru local government area of the state.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja in statement says a joint team of security personnel have been carrying out sustained and intelligence driven operations.

The assurance, according to him, follows allegations by critics that security agencies haven’t been doing enough since the incident happened.

The attack which occurred last week Sunday, was initially denied by the police who described it as falsehood by enemies of peace and conflict entrepreneurs.

That got members of the community enraged, and proceeded to provide a list of names of the victims as proof.

Thereafter, the police admitted in a statement that the attack occurred.

Kurmin Wali is just one out of several communities that have suffered attacks, and abductions in Kaduna state, as other parts of northwest Nigeria.

In 2024, more than 200 children were abducted from their school in Chikun local government area of the state.

–SABC–