The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that the abduction of worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State did occur, reversing earlier statements that cast doubt on the incident.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police said the attack— which caused fear and anxiety among residents— was initially disputed during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by Governor Uba Sani.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” Hundeyin said.
According to the police, conflicting accounts from some individuals in the affected local government initially described the reports as false, creating uncertainty and necessitating further intelligence verification.
The Force clarified that earlier comments by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, which were widely perceived as a denial, were intended to prevent public panic while investigations were ongoing.
However, following intelligence and operational checks, the police now confirm that abductions did take place.
Security Response Intensified
In response to the confirmation, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.
The police said:
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Tactical units have been deployed
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Patrols have been intensified
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Targeted search-and-rescue operations are ongoing
The objective, according to the Force, is to rescue the abducted victims safely and restore calm in the area.
Call for Responsible Reporting
The police appealed to the public and the media to rely strictly on official and verified sources, warning that speculation could undermine rescue efforts and endanger lives.
Conflicting Earlier Claims
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North, Rev. John Hayab, had earlier stated that scores of worshippers were abducted during the attack.
However, both the Kaduna State Police Command and the state government initially dismissed the reports as false. Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad had publicly challenged anyone with evidence to provide names and details of the alleged victims.
Similarly, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, stated that consultations with CAN and community leaders revealed the reports to be “completely false.”
The latest confirmation by the Nigeria Police Force now establishes that the abduction did occur, marking another incident in the growing pattern of mass kidnappings across parts of Nigeria.
