Confusion and conflicting narratives emerged on Monday following reports that terrorists kidnapped over 170 worshippers during coordinated attacks on three churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday.
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While the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the alleged mass abduction, the Kaduna State Police Command, the Kajuru Local Government chairman, and state government officials categorically denied that any such incident occurred, describing the reports as “falsehoods” and “fabrications by conflict entrepreneurs.”
The Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, said terrorists attacked three churches—including ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim churches—in the Kurmin Wali community during Sunday services.
“I don’t like talking about figures, but what I got from the area is that 172 people were said to have been abducted, while nine managed to escape, leaving 163 still in the custody of the abductors,” Hayab told journalists on Monday.
He described the incident as “very tough and sad,” but expressed determination to work with security agencies and government authorities to secure the safe return of the victims.
“Whatever the reason, we are not going to give up. We want to work with the security agencies and government to ensure that these people return safely,” he said.
According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, firing shots to scare residents before rounding up worshippers, including women and youths. The terrorists reportedly struck almost simultaneously, encircling the worship centres and whisking the congregants away into nearby forests.
Some victims, mainly elderly persons, were later said to have been released, while the majority allegedly remained in captivity.
However, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, dismissed the reports while speaking to journalists after a State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
“The story is a mere falsehood. Anyone who claims that people were kidnapped should come forward with names and particulars,” Rabiu said, warning that purveyors of rumours would face the full weight of the law.
He described the reports as the handiwork of “conflict entrepreneurs bent on disrupting peace in the state.”
The Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Mr. Dauda Madaki, corroborated the police position, saying security agencies swiftly moved to the area after the reports but found no evidence of any attack.
“When I heard the rumour, I mobilised the police and other security forces to Kurmin Wali. We visited the church where the so-called kidnapping was said to have occurred and found no trace of any incident,” Madaki said.
According to him, the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and the community’s youth leader, Bernard Bona, also confirmed that no such attack took place.
“I have asked those making the claim to provide a list of the kidnapped persons. Till now, no one has come forward with a single name,” Madaki added, alleging that the rumour was sponsored by individuals unhappy with the relative peace in Kajuru.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Sule Shuaibu, SAN, said investigations, including engagements with CAN leadership and other religious leaders, showed that the reports were unfounded.
“What was circulated in the public space was completely false,” Shuaibu said, reaffirming the Kaduna State government’s zero tolerance for criminality.
Meanwhile, international media outlets, including the BBC, reported the kidnapping as confirmed by local police, further deepening confusion over what actually transpired.
The BBC quoted local police as saying gunmen armed with “sophisticated weapons” stormed two churches in Kurmin Wali, a forest community in Afogo Ward, at about 11:25 a.m. local time.
“The attackers came in numbers, blocked the entrances of the churches, and forced the worshippers into the bush,” Rev. Hayab was quoted as telling the AFP news agency.
Speaking to Reuters, Hayab added: “Information came to me from the elders of the churches that 172 worshippers were abducted, while nine escaped.”
The conflicting accounts come amid Nigeria’s worsening security situation, particularly in the northern and central regions, where armed gangs—locally referred to as bandits—frequently carry out mass kidnappings for ransom.
In November 2025, more than 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school and later released in two batches, one of several high-profile incidents that attracted international attention.
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including kidnappings for ransom, Islamist insurgency in the North-East, separatist violence in the South-East, and clashes between herders and farmers in the Middle Belt over access to land and water.
Analysts say corruption, poor intelligence sharing, and underfunded local policing have hindered effective responses to the crises.
The United States recently became militarily involved, launching airstrikes on Christmas Day against two camps operated by an Islamist militant group in north-western Nigeria.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump warned of further strikes if Christians continued to be killed in the country. In response, a Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with international partners.
“Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination,” spokesman Alkasim Abdulkadir said.
The sharp contrast between CAN’s detailed account and the outright denials by state authorities has raised concerns about information management, security coordination, and public communication during crisis situations.
As of press time, efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, for clarification were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his mobile phone went unanswered.
The Kaduna State government has urged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, while advising them to report suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agencies.
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