The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has made a U-turn on its stance on the kidnapping of over 100 churchgoers in the Kurmin Wali community in the Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.
This comes 24 hours after the Police denied the report on the kidnapping of the churchgoers in Kaduna State.
On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in the community and whisked away about 167 worshippers.
However, on Monday, the Kaduna police command dismissed the report as a falsehood spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to disrupt the state’s relative peace.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, the state’s commissioner of police, challenged those spreading the reports to provide names and details of the victims, insisting that there was no record of such abductions.
Following police denial, Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N), a human rights group, said the abductions took place and accused security operatives of obstructing efforts to independently verify the incident.
The group accused security personnel of preventing its team from accessing the community during a fact-finding visit, despite presenting proper identification.
However, in a statement released in the late hours of Tuesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the force’s public relations officer, stated that the initial confusion arose from a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council convened by Uba Sani, the state’s governor.
Hundeyin said some individuals from Kajuru LGA disputed the abduction claims during the meeting, describing them as false.
Following the confirmation of the kidnapping of the churchgoers in Kaduna State, Hundeyin stated that Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), ordered the deployment of tactical units and intelligence assets to Kajuru and its surrounding communities.
He noted that the deployment includes intensified patrols, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and proactive measures to protect lives and property.
The statement reads: “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. 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.
“Upon receiving the report, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by the Governor.
“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. 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 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.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur. The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, 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.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities. 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.
“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.
“The Force remains fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.”
