Nigeria police say 80 abducted congregants return home

At least 80 congregants earlier believed to have been abducted by gunmen from three churches in northern Nigeria last month have returned home, police said on Monday, a claim immediately disputed by the Christian Association of Nigeria.



Gunmen stormed the churchesin Kaduna state on January 18 and seized 177 worshippers, disappearing with them into nearby forests, according to CAN. Eleven people later escaped, leaving 166 missing, the group said.



Kaduna police spokesperson Mansur Hassan said fresh inquiries showed 80 of those reported missing had fled to nearby villages during the attack and only returned to their homes in Kurmin Wali over the weekend when they felt safe.



"Currently, we have invited all of these individuals to the Kaduna State Police Headquarters for verification of their identities, screening and health assessments," Hassan told Reuters by phone.