Confusion and tension have gripped parts of Southern Kaduna following conflicting reports over the alleged abduction of 163 Christian worshippers during Sunday church services in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has confirmed that the worshippers were kidnapped by suspected terrorists. However, the Kaduna State Police Command and other state officials have dismissed the claim, insisting that no such abduction took place.
The incident, which allegedly occurred in Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area, has sparked fear among residents and renewed concerns over insecurity in Southern Kaduna, a region that has witnessed repeated attacks over the years.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Northern CAN, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, told journalists on Monday that the worshippers were abducted during Sunday service at Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2 in the community.
According to Hayab, the attackers stormed the churches while worship was ongoing. He said the gunmen locked the church gates and forced the worshippers to march into the surrounding bush.
Hayab explained that he received a distress call from the CAN chairman in the affected area, who narrated the incident shortly after it happened.
“From the information made available to us, the attackers came during church service, blocked the exits, and forcefully took the worshippers away,” Hayab said.
He added that eight of the abducted worshippers later managed to escape from their captors. However, as of Monday, 163 people were still believed to be in captivity.
“Some of them escaped, but many are still being held. This is a very disturbing situation,” Hayab said.
The CAN leader commended security agencies for responding to the situation and urged them to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
“Security officers are already on top of the matter. We commend their efforts and urge them to do everything possible to rescue our brothers and sisters safely and unhurt in good time,” he said.
The reported abduction has once again drawn attention to the long-standing security challenges in Southern Kaduna. Communities in the area have faced attacks by armed groups, kidnappings, and communal violence for several years, despite repeated assurances by successive governments.
Residents of Kajuru Local Government Area have particularly suffered from bandit attacks and kidnappings, with many families forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones.
However, the Kaduna State Police Command has strongly denied the report, describing it as false and misleading.
Speaking to journalists on Monday after a State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, dismissed the report as a fabrication.
“The story is a mere falsehood,” Rabiu said. “Anyone who claims that over 100 people were kidnapped should come forward with names and particulars of the victims.”
The police commissioner accused what he described as “conflict entrepreneurs” of spreading false information to create panic and disrupt the relative peace in the state.
He warned that individuals spreading rumours would be dealt with according to the law.
“We will not allow people to spread falsehood and cause fear among residents. Anyone found guilty will face the full wrath of the law,” Rabiu said.
Adding his voice, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Mr. Dauda Madaki, also denied that any abduction took place in Kurmin Wali.
Madaki said that immediately he heard the report, he mobilised security agencies to the area to verify the claim.
“When I heard the rumour, I mobilised the Police and other security forces to Kurmin Wali,” he said. “We went to the church where the alleged kidnapping was said to have occurred, and we found no trace of any incident.”
According to him, local leaders in the community, including the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and the youth leader, Bernard Bona, confirmed that no such attack happened.
“The village head and the youth leader both told us clearly that there was no kidnapping,” Madaki said.
He added that he had asked those making the claim to provide a list of the kidnapped persons, but no one had done so.
“I have asked for names and details of those allegedly kidnapped. Till now, no one has come forward with a single name,” he stated.
Madaki alleged that the rumour was being sponsored by individuals who were unhappy with the relative peace currently enjoyed in Kajuru Local Government Area.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities, while advising them to report suspicious movements and those spreading false information to security agencies.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Sule Shuaibu (SAN), also dismissed the report, saying investigations showed it was not true.
According to Shuaibu, the state government engaged with the leadership of CAN and other religious leaders as part of efforts to verify the claim.
“What was circulated in the public space was completely false,” Shuaibu said.
He reaffirmed that the Kaduna State government has zero tolerance for criminal activities and would continue to work with security agencies to protect lives and property.
The conflicting accounts have left many residents confused and worried, especially given the history of insecurity in Southern Kaduna. In the past, reports of attacks and kidnappings in the area have sometimes been disputed, leading to mistrust between communities, religious groups, and security agencies.
Civil society groups have called for transparent investigations to establish the truth and reassure the public.
Security analysts say such conflicting narratives can worsen fear and tension if not properly addressed. They stress the need for clear communication from authorities and religious bodies to prevent panic.
As of the time of filing this report, no independent confirmation of the alleged abduction had been made public. However, the strong reaction from CAN suggests deep concern within the Christian community.
For residents of Southern Kaduna, the situation highlights ongoing fears about safety, especially in rural communities where security presence is often limited.
Many Nigerians are now watching closely to see whether further evidence will emerge to support either side of the claims, while hoping that, if anyone has truly been abducted, they will be rescued quickly and safely.