A traumatic firsthand account from Sarah Peter, who survived a brutal attack on a church in Nigeria, reveals the shocking realities of abduction and violence faced by worshippers amidst insecurity.

In a chilling ordeal, Sarah Peter recounts her escape from gunmen who stormed her church in northern Nigeria, where dozens were abducted. Despite suffering injuries, she navigated through peril to return to her village. With more than 160 still missing, the local community is engulfed in fear and uncertainty as they seek answers and protection.

Surviving Hell: A Victim's Harrowing Escape from Nigerian Church Abduction

There was a huge plaster on Sarah Peter's head to staunch the bleeding caused by the blow of a gunman's weapon.

Sarah, not her real name, was in church in a village in northern Nigeria on Sunday morning when attackers raided the compound to abduct the worshippers and take them away on foot.

The 60-year-old was whacked on the skull with a rifle to encourage her to move. Blood was all over, she said, her fingers brushing the area where the wound was.

I suffered, she added, clearly still traumatized by what happened three days earlier. They kept dragging me even when I told them I couldn't walk. Then I hid somewhere until I couldn't see them anymore. I was so weak I had to crawl back to the village.

Dozens of others were taken away from her branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church and two other churches in Kurmin Wali, a village 135km north of the capital, Abuja.

Although 11 people managed to escape, including Sarah, more than 160 people are still unaccounted for, according to the local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria. The remaining villagers have been left devastated and fear more attacks.

Kurmin Wali is near Kaduna state's Rijana forest, a hideout for armed gangs, known here as bandits, who have been carrying out raids and abductions in the region.

No group has said it was behind the raid, which is part of a wider security crisis in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common.

Governor Sani visited Kurmin Wali post-attack, pledging efforts to reinforce security and rescue the abducted individuals. As the residents anxiously await news of their loved ones, uncertainty looms heavily over the community.