The Kaduna State Police Command, alongside local government authorities, has dismissed claims that more than 100 worshippers were abducted in Kajuru Local Government Area, describing the reports as false and the handiwork of “conflict entrepreneurs” bent on undermining the state’s relative peace.
Earlier on Monday, the BBC reported that armed groups had kidnapped dozens of worshippers during church services in Kurmin Wali, a forest settlement in Afogo ward of Kaduna State. The report cited a senior church official who alleged that over 160 worshippers were taken during Sunday service.
Reacting after a state security council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, refuted the claims and challenged those spreading the story to present verifiable details of the alleged victims.
“Anyone who has evidence should come forward with the list of kidnapped persons and their particulars,” Rabiu said.
He cautioned against the spread of unverified information, warning that individuals attempting to destabilise the state through false reports would face the full force of the law.
Supporting the police position, the Chairman of Kajuru LGA, Dauda Madaki, said he immediately mobilised security personnel to the community mentioned in the reports but found no sign of any attack.
“We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place. There was no evidence of the attack,” Madaki stated.
He added that consultations with the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and the youth leader, Bernard Bona, also confirmed that no such incident occurred, with both leaders denying any attack in the presence of journalists.
Madaki further challenged anyone with contrary information to provide a list of the alleged victims, noting that none had surfaced despite his public appeal. He attributed the rumour to elements displeased with the improved security situation in Kajuru under the current administration.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, said religious leaders, including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), had engaged with residents in the affected area and verified that the reports were “completely false”.
Shuaibu reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance approach to criminal activities and urged residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and promptly report any suspicious movements or rumour peddlers to security agencies.