All 166 Kurmin Walli hostages remain in captivity – Ex-Southern Kaduna Forum spokesperson
Former Spokesperson Denies Escape Claims of Kidnapped Victims
LAGOS, Nigeria — Luka Binniyat, a former spokesperson for the Southern Kaduna Peoples Forum, has labeled reports circulating on social media about the escape of 80 kidnapped individuals from Tudun Wali as false.
In a Facebook post, Binniyat rejected the claim, stating that none of the 166 victims abducted 15 days ago from Kurmin Walli village in Kajuru Local Government Area had returned. He described the reports as “fake news,” emphasizing that the individuals returning to the village are not among the kidnapped but rather villagers who fled during the abduction.
“The truth is that some Kurmin Walli villagers who were not kidnapped but escaped the area are the ones returning,” he wrote. “They are coming back due to perceived improvements in security. After enduring multiple abductions over the years, they have no other place to go.”
Binniyat expressed concern over potential pressure on village leaders to misrepresent the situation. He criticized the lack of updates from authorities regarding the victims’ status after 15 days in captivity.
“The silence from those in power is troubling, especially with ongoing kidnappings in Kajuru and surrounding regions,” he said. “The press must be cautious of endorsing misleading narratives that could undermine public pressure for the safe return of these innocent citizens.”
Binniyat called for the government to officially clarify whether any of the kidnapped churchgoers had escaped or been rescued, noting the need for transparency in addressing security issues.
