Bandits on Wednesday freed 11 of the 40 worshippers abducted on Sunday during service at Bege Baptist Church, Madala, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna, Rev. John  Hayab, had on Sunday raised the alarm over the mass abduction.

Hayab said out of the 40 worshippers abducted, 15 managed to escape, leaving 25 in the captivity of the bandits.

On Tuesday, the CAN chairman said that the bandits had yet to contact the families of the abductees or made any demands.

However, on Wednesday, Hayab told AFP that 11 of the 25 abductees in captivity regained their freedom.

“The number of those kidnapped from the church has reduced 14 after the gunmen set free 11 out of the 25 they took away.

“They abandoned or released those they found difficult to manage due to health challenges, fatigue or age,” Hayab said.

Amond the freed 11 was a woman who was so exhausted that the abductors mistook her for dead and abandoned her in the bush along with her baby.

The woman regained consciousness, found her baby and returned home, Hayab said.

“To them, it is not the number of the hostages they take that matters because they know even if they take one person, they will receive a ransom in exchange.”

He said they were waiting for the abductors to make their demands.

Kaduna police have confirmed the incident but are yet to provide details.