Conflicting narratives have emerged over alleged mass abductions in Southern Kaduna following claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that 163 Christians were kidnapped during church services, a claim firmly denied by the Kaduna State Police Command and the state government.
CAN, through its leadership in the Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, alleged that armed assailants invaded churches in Kurmin Wali village, located in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during Sunday worship. According to the association, worshippers were forcefully taken away by gunmen who reportedly stormed the area in large numbers.
The association’s Kajuru Local Government chairman, Enoch Kaura, claimed that a total of 172 worshippers were initially abducted, adding that nine of them later escaped, leaving 163 persons allegedly still in captivity. CAN described the incident as a grave security breach and called on security agencies to urgently rescue the victims.
The group further expressed concern over what it described as persistent attacks on Christian communities in parts of Southern Kaduna, urging the federal and state governments to take decisive action to prevent further incidents and restore confidence among residents.
However, the Kaduna State Police Command swiftly dismissed the claims, describing them as false and misleading. The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, said investigations and security checks carried out in the affected area revealed no evidence of any abduction.
Rabiu challenged CAN or any other individuals making the claims to present the names, identities, and other verifiable details of the alleged victims, insisting that no families had reported missing relatives to the police in connection with the incident.
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The police boss warned against the spread of unverified information, stating that such reports could heighten tension and undermine peace in the state. He added that those found deliberately spreading false security information could face legal consequences.
The Kaduna State Government also aligned with the police position, saying security agencies and local authorities who visited Kurmin Wali community found no trace of an attack or mass kidnapping. Officials said engagements with traditional rulers and community leaders produced no confirmation of the alleged incident.
Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, said neither the village head nor youth leaders in the area had any knowledge of worshippers being abducted, noting that normal activities were ongoing in the community.
Southern Kaduna has witnessed sporadic security challenges in the past, making claims of attacks particularly sensitive. As investigations continue, authorities have urged residents to remain calm and rely on verified information, while the disagreement between CAN and security agencies continues to generate national attention.
