Some residents of Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, have faulted the military for failing to rescue 166 church members abducted in the area last Sunday.
They alleged that the troops withdrew after making a feeble attempt to enter into the forest where the hoodlums were hiding.
But the defence headquarters noted that efforts were being made to ensure the victims were rescued unhurt.
The bandits attacked three churches in the community last Sunday, abducting 177 worshippers.
However, 11 managed to escape, while 166 remained in captivity.
The community head, Ishaku Dan’azumi, told Saturday PUNCH on Thursday that the kidnappers were seen moving freely through forest corridors with their captives, days after the attack.
He noted that the abductors trekked between Ungwan Gamu and Maro communities in Kajuru Local Government Area without any resistance from security agencies.