The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 177 Christian worshippers abducted by bandits in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Council of Kaduna State, as outrage grows over initial official denials of the incident.
In a statement issued in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, criticised the early dismissal of the abduction by the police, describing it as deeply troubling and harmful. He said the response sowed confusion, heightened fear and unfairly cast doubt on the credibility of victims, their families, clergy and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm.
Okoh stressed that in crises of this magnitude, public communication must be careful, empathetic and verification-driven, warning that dismissive statements can compound trauma. He added that genuine distress calls must be treated with urgency, while both misinformation and sensationalism should be avoided.
While welcoming the subsequent confirmation of the abduction, the CAN leader commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for ordering the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to the affected communities. However, he insisted that security action must be matched with a more disciplined, people-focused approach to crisis communication.
Echoing CAN’s concerns, Northern CAN Chairman, Joseph Hayab, also criticised security agencies for what he described as an initial “denial” of the incident, speaking shortly after the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed the kidnappings.
Reports of the attack first emerged on Sunday, with claims that more than 100 worshippers were taken during the raid. Kaduna State authorities and security agencies initially disputed the reports. On Monday, however, the NPF acknowledged that the abduction did occur.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police were aware of the public anxiety triggered by the reports. He explained that confusion followed a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council, where some local representatives questioned the accuracy of the initial accounts.
Hundeyin clarified that remarks earlier attributed to the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police were misunderstood and not intended as a denial, but as a cautious response pending field verification of the number and identities of those affected.
Following further intelligence and operational checks, the police confirmed the incident and launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations alongside other security agencies. The Inspector-General ordered the deployment of tactical units, intensified patrols and targeted operations across Kajuru and neighbouring areas.
Beyond CAN, the Adara community has also raised alarm over renewed terrorist attacks in Kajuru. President of the Adara Development Association, Sebastine Barde, said the community was once again trapped in cycles of violence that have brought brutality, economic hardship, deepening poverty and severe social, educational and psychological damage.
As pressure mounts, CAN has urged all levels of government to confront Nigeria’s persistent insecurity with renewed urgency, warning that repeated attacks continue to endanger lives, disrupt worship and erode public trust.
