Armed men abduct 45 people in Nigeria’s Kaduna state

By Adam Abu-bashal

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - At least 45 people have been abducted by gunmen in northwestern Nigeria’s Kaduna state, an official said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, the president of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, Awemi Maisamari, said armed men on motorcycles stormed a church in the Kajuru local government area of Kaduna.

In the attack, 45 worshippers and other residents of the area were kidnapped and many were injured, Maisamari added.

The kidnappers have contacted the families of those abducted and demanded a ransom.

Kidnapping is punishable by the death penalty in Nigeria, yet abductions for ransom are common.

The payment of ransom was prohibited as part of the fight against the increasing security problems in the country.