The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the handling of the recent abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, expressing concern over the response of security agencies.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association criticised what it described as poor public communication by the authorities. CAN said the initial response lacked both sensitivity and thoroughness, noting that dismissing early reports of the incident before proper verification created confusion and undermined public trust in security agencies.
The condemnation came hours after the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) officially confirmed the abduction. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, with claims that more than 100 worshippers were kidnapped during the attack.
Initially, the Kaduna State Government and security agencies dismissed the reports, insisting no abduction had taken place. However, days later, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, verified the incident, citing intelligence and operational findings. Hundeyin explained that the early dismissal aimed to prevent panic while investigations were ongoing.
Reacting to the police confirmation, CAN acknowledged the challenges security agencies face in verifying incidents in remote communities but stressed that such challenges do not justify mishandling sensitive information.
“The early public dismissal of these reports, before proper verification, was deeply troubling. It caused confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of worshippers, their families, clergy, and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm,” the statement read.
CAN emphasized that in crises involving human lives, communication from senior security officials must be accurate, empathetic, and carefully measured to maintain public trust and social stability. While the subsequent police confirmation and operational response were commended, the association called for a more disciplined, people-centered approach in future crises.
The group urged all security agencies to strengthen coordination, improve verification processes, and take community reports seriously. CAN stressed that victims must be protected, distress calls treated with urgency, and misinformation—whether dismissive or exaggerated—avoided.
The association also called on governments to tackle the persistent insecurity across the country, warning that repeated attacks endanger lives, disrupt worship, and erode public confidence. CAN appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted worshippers, praying for their safe return, and urged authorities to intensify operational, intelligence, and diplomatic efforts to ensure their rescue.
