Metro
Police Make U-Turn, Admit Over 100 Christians Were Abducted In Kaduna Churches
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that over 100 worshippers were kidnapped from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, just a day after initially denying reports of the incident.
The attack happened on Sunday when gunmen stormed three churches in the area and abducted an about 167 worshippers.
On Monday, however, the Kaduna State Police Command dismissed the reports, describing them as misinformation spread by what it called “conflict entrepreneurs” bent on disturbing the state’s relative calm.
During a press briefing in Kaduna, the state commissioner of police, Muhammad Rabiu, challenged those behind the reports to produce the names and details of the alleged victims.
The commissioner maintained at the time that the police had no record of any such abduction.
After the police denial, Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria, a human rights organisation, insisted that the kidnappings did take place.
The group also accused security agencies of blocking its attempt to independently confirm the incident.
According to CSW-N, its team was stopped by security personnel from entering the community during a fact-finding visit, even after presenting valid identification.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the earlier confusion followed a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by Governor Uba Sani.
Hundeyin said some people from Kajuru LGA who attended the meeting disputed the kidnapping claims and described them as untrue.
He explained that the comments made earlier by the commissioner of police were meant to calm public fears while investigations were still ongoing, not to outrightly deny that the incident happened.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” the statement reads.
Following this confirmation, Hundeyin said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams and intelligence units to Kajuru and nearby communities.
He said the move includes increased patrols, focused search-and-rescue operations, and other security measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
The police spokesperson advised the public and the media to rely only on official police statements for accurate information and to avoid speculation that could interfere with rescue efforts.
Hundeyin added that the police would continue to update the public as the situation develops.
