Kaduna police dismiss reports of mass church kidnap as false
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, has dismissed reports that more than 100 worshippers were kidnapped during a church service in Kajuru Local Government Area, describing the claim as a deliberate falsehood spread by conflict entrepreneurs.
Conflicting reports circulated on Monday alleged that bandits abducted over 100 people during a church service at Kurmin Wali village on Sunday. However, Rabiu said investigations by security agencies showed that no such incident occurred.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the State Security Council at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the police commissioner challenged those spreading the report to provide the names and details of the alleged victims. He warned that individuals spreading rumours aimed at destabilising the state would face the full weight of the law.
Rabiu said Kaduna State had continued to enjoy relative peace and that security agencies would not allow false narratives to undermine public confidence or create unnecessary panic.
The Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, also dismissed the report, saying he personally led a team of security personnel to Kurmin Wali after hearing the rumour. According to him, there was no evidence of any attack at the church.
Madaki said the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, confirmed that no abduction took place, while the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona, also denied that any such incident occurred. He said Bona spoke directly to journalists who accompanied the local government delegation during the visit.
The council chairman challenged anyone with contrary information to produce a list of kidnapped persons, adding that no such list had been presented since the rumour emerged. He accused unnamed individuals of sponsoring the false report out of dissatisfaction with the improved security situation in Kajuru.
Madaki urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, advising them to report any suspicious movements or individuals spreading false information to security agencies.
The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), corroborated the position of the police and the local government chairman. He said religious leaders, including the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the area, had engaged with community members and confirmed that the reported kidnap did not occur.
Shuaibu said the state government maintained zero tolerance for criminality and misinformation, assuring residents that security agencies remained fully alert.