The Christian Media Forum has condemned the abduction of scores of Christian worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, urging authorities to secure their immediate release.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and National Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, the forum called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims, put at 167.
According to the group, the attackers stormed the community during church services, launching coordinated assaults on several churches.
It said the assailants fired shots into the air, triggering panic that culminated in the abduction of worshippers.
The forum added that many congregants fled into nearby bushes in a bid to escape but were intercepted by other members of the gang and taken captive.
A local resident, who said a relative was among those abducted, told journalists that the gunmen moved from one church to another, seizing worshippers in large numbers.
Expressing concern over the safety of the victims, the CMF appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to act swiftly to ensure their safe return.
It also urged the government, in collaboration with stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians, to adopt concrete measures to curb banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.