The 16 individuals who were kidnapped by bandits during a Sunday morning church service at Bege Baptist Church in Madala, Kaduna State, have been freed by their captors.

According to reports, an undisclosed sum of money and several motorcycles were given to the bandits as ransom before they released the hostages.

The bandits had attacked the church, abducting 40 people, but 24 managed to escape shortly after the incident, leaving the remaining 16 individuals at the mercy of the dangerous criminals for nearly a month.

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Confirming the release, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed gratitude to the Muslim community in Madala for their compassionate support, which led to the freedom of their Christian neighbors.

The Muslim community contributed funds and even purchased a motorcycle as a ransom for the release.