The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that an abduction incident occurred at Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following days of uncertainty and conflicting reports.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said subsequent verification by operational units and intelligence sources confirmed that the incident did take place, despite earlier denials that created confusion among residents.
Hundeyin explained that the matter was initially disputed during a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council convened by Governor Uba Sani, as some individuals from the affected area described the reports as false, necessitating further checks by security agencies.
He clarified that comments earlier attributed to the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, and widely interpreted as a denial of the incident, were intended to prevent public panic while investigations and verification were ongoing.
Following confirmation of the abduction, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and neighbouring communities.
The police said tactical units have been deployed, patrols intensified, and targeted search-and-rescue operations commenced to locate and safely rescue the victims, while restoring calm to the area.
The Force appealed to the public and the media to rely solely on official sources for verified information and to avoid speculation that could jeopardise ongoing operations.
Earlier, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the northern region, John Hayab, had said that scores of worshippers were abducted in the community, a claim initially dismissed by the Kaduna State Police Command and the state government.
Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad had challenged anyone with evidence of the incident to present a list and particulars of the alleged victims, while the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, said engagements with CAN at the state level and community leaders indicated the reports were false.
The confirmation of the incident adds to the growing concerns over recurring abductions in parts of the country.
