By Mary Onyia
Official denials by Kaduna State authorities over the reported abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community sparked national outrage yesterday. Governor Uba Sani later acknowledged the incident and promised to secure the victims’ rescue. Reports stated over 117—later about 177—worshippers were abducted by bandits during church services in Kajuru Local Government Area.
The abduction was first reported on Sunday, January 19, when armed bandits attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali and took worshippers into the forest. Soon after, the Kaduna State Police Command and the state government said the reports were false, and the Kajuru council chairman agreed. This response angered local communities, church groups, and regional organizations, who maintained that the kidnappings really happened.
The denials collapsed after the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that the mass abduction did take place and ordered the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to the area. This admission drew sharp criticism from stakeholders, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who accused authorities of poor crisis communication, insensitivity and an attempt to suppress the truth.
ACF described the initial response as disappointing and “head-in-the-sand,” warning that denial tactics worsened public distrust at a time Nigeria’s insecurity is under intense scrutiny. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the premature dismissal of the reports deepened fear, discredited victims and their families, and eroded confidence in security agencies, even as he welcomed the police’s eventual confirmation and renewed rescue efforts.
Local group, the Adara Development Association (ADA), reportedly, went further, accusing the police commissioner and council chairman of deliberately downplaying the incident after visiting the community. ADA listed the abductees as 50 from Cherubim and Seraphim Church I, 92 from Cherubim and Seraphim Church II, and 24 from ECWA, and demanded public apologies, insisting survivors and families could verify the claims.
Amid mounting pressure, Governor Uba Sani visited Kurmin Wali, sympathised with residents and admitted that worshippers were abducted. He said the state was working with the military, police, DSS and the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure their safe return, stressing that “every life matters” and that government action was not about numbers but the sanctity of human life.
While assuring that medical bills of the injured would be covered and cautioning against politicising insecurity, the governor promised decisive action to rescue the victims. The Presidency, however, urged Nigerians not to frame the violence as a religious war, insisting insecurity affects all faiths, even as communities mourn, demand accountability and await the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
With reports from the Vanguard