Confusion has trailed reports of the alleged abduction of more than 170 worshippers during coordinated attacks on three churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, with conflicting accounts from religious leaders and security agencies.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states said terrorists attacked churches in the Kurmin Wali community on Sunday, firing sporadically to scare residents before abducting worshippers during service.
Chairman of CAN in the region, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, described the incident as distressing, stating that information available to the association indicated that about 172 worshippers were taken by the attackers.
“I don’t like talking about figures, but what we got from the area is that 172 people were abducted. Nine reportedly escaped, while about 163 are still being held by the abductors,” Hayab said.
He added that CAN was working closely with security agencies and the government to ensure the safe return of the victims, stressing that the church would not be discouraged despite the incident.
Local residents also claimed the attacks were coordinated, alleging that the assailants arrived in large numbers, surrounded the worship centres and whisked congregants, including women and youths, into nearby forests. Some elderly victims were reportedly released later.
However, the Kaduna State Police Command dismissed the reports, describing them as false and misleading.
Speaking to journalists after a State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, said no kidnapping took place in Kajuru.
“The story is a mere falsehood. Anyone claiming people were kidnapped should come forward with names and particulars of the alleged victims,” Rabiu said, warning that purveyors of false information would face the full weight of the law.
The chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Mr Dauda Madaki, also denied the incident, saying security agencies immediately visited the affected communities and churches following the reports but found no evidence of any attack.
“When the rumour reached me, I mobilised security personnel to Kurmin Wali. We visited the church where the incident was said to have occurred and found no trace of any kidnapping,” Madaki said.
According to him, the village head and youth leader of the community also confirmed that no worshippers were abducted, adding that no individual had been able to provide the names of any missing persons.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Sule Shuaibu, SAN, said investigations and consultations with religious leaders, including CAN officials, showed that the reports circulating in the public space were unfounded.
He reaffirmed the state government’s zero tolerance for criminality and urged residents to remain calm, report suspicious activities, and avoid spreading unverified information.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the alleged abduction as a serious indictment of the country’s security architecture, calling on the Federal Government to take decisive action to protect worshippers and prevent further attacks on religious centres.
Efforts to get confirmation from defence authorities were unsuccessful as of press time.
