The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed that an abduction incident occurred in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following earlier statements that appeared to downplay or dispute reports of the attack, a development that has triggered public outrage and confusion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said security agencies received credible reports that residents of Kurmin Wali community were abducted by armed attackers, prompting immediate concern among locals and the wider public.
According to Hundeyin, the situation initially became contentious after conflicting accounts emerged during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by Governor Uba Sani. He explained that some individuals from the affected area disputed the incident at the meeting, leading authorities to exercise caution before making definitive public declarations.
The police clarified that remarks made earlier by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, which many interpreted as a denial of the abduction, were intended to prevent panic while verification was ongoing.
“The comments were a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field and were not meant to dismiss or deny the incident,” the Force said.
Subsequent intelligence and operational reports, however, confirmed that the abduction did take place, prompting the police to activate coordinated security operations in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has since ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence units to Kajuru and surrounding communities, with intensified patrols and targeted search-and-rescue operations underway to locate and rescue the victims.
The development follows claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kajuru Local Government Area that scores of worshippers were abducted during a church service on Sunday. While state authorities and the police earlier dismissed the report as exaggerated, the confirmation of an abduction has intensified criticism over crisis communication and transparency.
The police appealed to the public and the media to rely on official channels for verified information and to avoid speculation that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten anxiety.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold,” the statement added.