Kaduna church abductions: Police make U-turn, deploy tactical units for rescue operation

By Monday Ijeh

The Nigeria Police Force said subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources had confirmed that some Church worshippers were abducted in the Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State.

Recall that residents of Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government in Kaduna State had on Sunday reported that gunmen invaded the community and kidnapped dozens of church worshippers.

Some reports indicated that over 160 church members were abducted by the gunmen in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government in Kaduna State.

However, some of the abductees reportedly escaped.

However, speaking after a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council was immediately convened by Gov. Uba Sani following the report of the incident on Sunday, the state commissioner of police, CP, Mr Muhammadu Rabiu, had disputed the claim of the mass abduction.

The Police Commissioner spoke alongside local government officials from the affected communities.

He said the report that worshipers were abducted on Sunday from churches in the community were false was “mere falsehood being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos.”

However, while confirming the abduction of the worshippers, the Force’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the comment of the Commissioner of Police (CP) was not a denial of the incident.

Hundeyin said the confusion over the incident was created by some individuals from the affected local government area who disputed the report earlier confirmed by the police and described it as false.

“This 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.

“In this context, comments made by the CP 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,” he said.

The police spokesman said subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources had confirmed that the incident was not false.

He said the Nigeria Police Force had activated coordinated security operations, working closely with other security agencies, with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area.

Hundeyin said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.

According to him, these efforts, include deployment of tactical units as well as intensified patrols already in place, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and proactive measures to protect lives and property.

Hundeyin called for patience and cooperation from the public and the media.

He urged the public to rely on the official police communications for verified information and to avoid speculation or sensational reporting that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.

(NAN)