By Editor
In January, gunmen attacked three churches in the community, whisking away about 177 worshippers.
Eleven people were said to have escaped while being taken away by bandits.
Speaking with TheCable, Dan’azumi said the 80 victims who escaped did so on the same day of the incident, but were unable to return immediately as they lost their way in the forest.
He said the escapees fled into the forest and hid out of fear following the attack.
“We have now confirmed that 80 of our people have been found in different locations. They ran through the forest and hid because of fear on the very day of the incident,” he said.
Dan’azumi added that a few days ago, one of the victims contacted the community and disclosed their location, prompting the mobilisation of a team to trace them.
“One of them called and told us where they were. We sent people there and confirmed their whereabouts,” he said.
“They were afraid because they thought what happened to a nearby village, where bandits burnt down the entire community, had happened to us. That was why they did not reach out immediately.”
He said a headcount conducted on Friday confirmed that 80 victims were found in different forest settlements. He said search teams have also been deployed to other forest locations to ascertain whether more victims are still in hiding.
The village head disclosed that the authorities had been officially informed of the development.
“We have informed the government that 80 people have been found. They want us to gather them together, but fear is stopping many of them from returning,” he said.
“However, we have spoken with them and confirmed their locations
