Conflicting reports have emerged over an alleged mass kidnapping of worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, with figures, eyewitness accounts and official responses diverging sharply on what actually occurred.
While community leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria said up to 172 worshippers were seized by armed attackers during Sunday services, local authorities and the police have dismissed the claims as unverified or untrue, highlighting ongoing challenges in confirming security incidents.
Reports of church attacks and mass abductions in Nigeria’s northern and middle belt states have become alarmingly frequent, reflecting broader insecurity driven by armed gangs and banditry.
Kaduna State, particularly Southern Kaduna, has experienced repeated kidnappings and violent incursions in recent years, prompting community fear and calls for more robust security measures. Initial figures in such incidents often vary widely between law enforcement, local leaders and civil society organisations.
According to Rev. John John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, suspected terrorists stormed three churches — including Cherubim and Seraphim congregations — during worship on Sunday, locking gates and herding congregants into the bush, resulting in 163 people reportedly in captivity after some escapees were accounted for.
Hayab said eight worshippers had escaped and that security forces were “already on top of the matter,” urging coordinated rescue efforts and safe return of captives.
However, Kaduna State Police Commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu has denied that any mass church kidnapping occurred, describing the reports as falsehoods spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” and saying investigations found no evidence of an attack in the community. He challenged anyone making claims to present names and particulars of alleged victims.
Kajuru Local Government Chairman Dauda Madaki supported the police position, stating that security personnel inspected the cited churches and found nothing to corroborate reports of an incident. Local traditional and youth leaders also denied that any abduction had taken place, urging residents to refrain from spreading rumours.
The starkly contradictory accounts illustrate how misinformation can spread rapidly in high-tension environments, particularly around reports of insecurity and mass violence in isolated communities. For families, such confusion compounds fear, hampers rescue or support efforts and can erode trust in both community leadership and official sources.
Persistent insecurity in Kaduna and similar conflict-affected states continues to strain local civil society, deter investment and disrupt community life.
The risk of armed banditry, kidnappings and related criminality underscores the need for improved intelligence, timely official communication and robust engagement between security agencies and local populations.
As uncertainty persists over whether a mass church abduction occurred in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna, the episode highlights the challenges authorities face in verifying and responding to fast-moving incidents amid broader insecurity.
Clear, verified information and proactive community-security collaboration are essential to prevent panic, support affected families, and guide effective policy and security interventions in troubled regions.
