By Francis Ajuonuma, with agency report
The Nigeria Police Force has admitted that an abduction occurred in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after several days of conflicting claims, public confusion and official denial.
In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police confirmed that the incident, which had generated widespread fear among residents, was earlier disputed at a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council presided over by Governor Uba Sani.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” he said.
The police explained that some people in the affected local government initially dismissed the reports as untrue, which contributed to uncertainty and necessitated further verification.
The Force said it was aware of the anxiety triggered by reports of the abduction in the remote Kajuru community and noted that early information remained inconsistent.
According to the police, earlier remarks by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, which were widely seen as a denial, were actually meant to prevent panic while investigations were still ongoing.
He, however, said subsequent checks by operational units and intelligence sources confirmed the abduction.
Following the confirmation, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate deployment of key operational and intelligence resources to Kajuru and neighbouring areas.
The police said specialised units had been mobilised, security patrols increased, and focused search-and-rescue operations launched to locate the victims and restore calm in the community.
The Force also urged members of the public and the media to rely on official channels for accurate information and avoid speculation that could undermine security efforts.
*CAN slams initial denial, demands urgent rescue, better communication
Earlier, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the northern region, John Hayab, had reported that many worshippers were abducted in the area.
However, the Kaduna State Police Command and the state government initially described the claims as false.
Rabiu, the police commissioner in the North-West state, challenged those making the claims to present concrete evidence.
“Anyone who has evidence should come forward with the list of kidnapped persons and their particulars,” Rabiu said during a press briefing.
Similarly, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, said he had consulted with CAN officials at the state level and with community leaders.
Shuaibu said the outcome of the engagements suggested that the reports were “completely false”.
The incident adds to the growing list of mass abductions recorded in different parts of the country.
CAN angle (second story rewritten)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the response of security agencies to the abduction of worshippers in the Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday and signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as ineffective and insensitive public communication by security authorities.
CAN said the initial reaction lacked proper care and diligence, arguing that dismissing the reports before complete verification created confusion and further weakened public trust.
The association’s reaction came shortly after the Nigeria Police Force formally confirmed that the abduction took place.
Reports about the attack first emerged on Sunday, with claims that over 100 worshippers were kidnapped during the incident.
At the time, both the Kaduna State Government and security agencies rejected the claims, maintaining that no such event had occurred.
However, days later, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, acknowledged that the incident was real.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday, Hundeyin said findings from intelligence and operational units validated the reports.
He explained that the earlier stance of the Kaduna State Police Command was intended to prevent public panic while facts were still being established.
Responding to the police confirmation, CAN said it understood the difficulties security agencies face in verifying incidents, especially in remote locations.
However, the association argued that such challenges should not excuse poor handling of sensitive information.
CAN said it was particularly worried that the reports were dismissed too quickly without comprehensive verification, describing the approach as inappropriate considering the seriousness of the situation.
“The initial public dismissal of reports about this incident, before thorough verification, was deeply troubling.
“It generated confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of nearly 170 worshippers, their families, clergy, and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm,” the statement said.
It added that, “In situations of this gravity, public communication must not appear dismissive of the suffering or fears of affected citizens.
“While the need to prevent panic is understandable, caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference.”
CAN stressed that statements from top security officials carry significant weight and must be handled with empathy, accuracy and responsibility, particularly in matters involving human lives.
The association welcomed the eventual confirmation of the incident and praised the Inspector-General of Police for deploying security resources to the area, describing the move as timely and necessary.
However, it insisted that such actions must be matched with a more people-centred approach to crisis communication.
CAN urged security agencies and relevant authorities to improve coordination, strengthen verification processes and take community reports more seriously.
“Victims must be protected, genuine distress calls respected, and misinformation, whether dismissive or sensational, must be avoided,” CAN stated.
The association also called on governments at all levels to address the country’s persistent insecurity with renewed urgency, warning that repeated attacks continue to endanger lives and disrupt religious activities.
CAN appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted persons and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their safe return, stressing that the protection of innocent citizens must remain the highest priority.
