The Nigeria Police Force has appealed for calm among residents of Kajuru community in Kaduna State following reports that no fewer than 177 Christian worshippers were kidnapped during a church service, saying investigations have commenced into the incident.
Residents of Kurmin Wali Village in Kajuru Local Government Area had earlier raised the alarm over an attack by terrorists who reportedly abducted scores of worshippers and took them to an unknown destination.
Condemning the incident, the Chikun/Kajuru Active Citizens Congress (CKACC) described the abduction as unacceptable, saying “this heinous act is unacceptable and demands immediate attention from the authorities.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, and made available to journalists in Kaduna, the police said: “The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the deep concern generated by reports of an abduction incident at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.”
According to him, “the Force understands the fear and anxiety such reports cause to families, residents, and the general public, and treats the safety of every citizen as a matter of utmost priority.”Hundeyin explained that following the report, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by the Governor, adding that during the meeting at the Government House, Kaduna, “some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report, which had earlier been confirmed by the Police, and described it as false.”
He said the situation “created uncertainty and reinforced the need for caution and thorough verification by the Police and other security agencies before making conclusive public statements on such a sensitive matter.”
He added: “In this context, comments made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, during a media interaction were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed.“Those remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.”
Hundeyin further stated that “subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” noting that the police had activated coordinated security operations in collaboration with other agencies “with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area.”He also disclosed that “the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities,” including tactical units, intensified patrols and targeted search-and-rescue operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force appeals to members of the public and the media for patience and cooperation. The public is encouraged to rely on official police communications for verified information and to avoid speculation or sensational reporting that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, CKACC Chairman, Joshua Madami, alongside residents of the affected community, said: “We stand in solidarity with the Christian community and demand the safe release of the abducted individuals.”
He noted that “the Chairperson of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kajuru LGA, Reverend Enoch Kaura, has confirmed the incident, and we urge the government to take swift action.”
Madami said the group had documented the names of the 177 abducted worshippers and called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, urging residents to “remain calm and vigilant.”
The guardian
