Police reverse position, confirm mass abduction of 177 worshippers in Kaduna Church attacks

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the mass abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, days after an initial denial by the state police command sparked public outrage and controversy.

Gunmen were reported to have attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali on Sunday, including the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches 1 and 2, abducting a total of 177 worshippers during coordinated assaults.

Despite the reports, the Kaduna State Police Command on Monday dismissed the claims as false, accusing unnamed “conflict entrepreneurs” of spreading misinformation to disrupt what it described as the state’s relative peace.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, challenged those reporting the incident to provide the names and details of the alleged victims, insisting there was no official record of such an abduction.

The denial drew sharp reactions from civil society organisations, particularly Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N), which maintained that the kidnappings did occur.

The group accused security operatives of frustrating independent verification efforts, alleging that its fact-finding team was barred from accessing Kurmin Wali community despite presenting valid identification.

However, the police later reversed their position. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the confusion arose from deliberations at a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council convened by Governor Uba Sani.

Hundeyin explained that during the meeting, some individuals from Kajuru LGA disputed the abduction claims, describing them as false, which influenced the initial public response.

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He said the comments made by the Commissioner of Police were intended to prevent panic while investigations and verification were ongoing, and not to categorically deny the incident.

“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” Hundeyin stated.

Following the confirmation, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units and intelligence assets to Kajuru LGA and adjoining communities.

According to Hundeyin, the deployment includes intensified patrols, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and other proactive security measures aimed at protecting lives and property and securing the release of the abducted worshippers.

He urged members of the public and the media to rely on official police communications for verified information and to avoid speculation that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts, assuring that updates would be provided as operations continue.

Meanwhile, the affected churches have released a comprehensive list of the 177 abducted worshippers, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.

According to the list made public on Tuesday, entire families were taken during the attack, with some households losing between five and 13 members.

Among the worst affected families were the Jonathan household with 12 members abducted, Amos with 13, Markus/Makudi with 10, Ishaya and Danisa with seven each, Bawa with six, and Danjuma and Musa with five members each. Several other families reportedly lost between two and four members.

The list also revealed that the victims include elderly persons and young children. The oldest abductee was identified as Augustine Matthew, aged 71, while the youngest, Salvation Idris, is just six years old. Other abducted children include several between the ages of six and 10, highlighting the humanitarian dimension of the attack.

The development has renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Kaduna State and intensified calls for swift action by security agencies to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.