Police Deny Report of Mass Abduction of Worshippers in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that over 100 worshippers were abducted in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, while speaking to journalists after a State Security Council meeting, said the report was “mere falsehood peddled by conflict entrepreneurs” bent on causing chaos in Kaduna State.
Rabiu challenged those behind the report to produce the names of the alleged victims and other verifiable details to support their claim.
He warned rumour mongers to desist from spreading false information capable of undermining the prevailing peace in the state, threatening that the police would apply the full weight of the law against such individuals.
The Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, also condemned the report, saying investigations showed that no such attack or abduction took place.
Madaki said that immediately he heard the rumour, security operatives including the police were mobilised to Kurmin Wali, the area where the alleged incident was said to have occurred.
According to him, “We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place, there was no evidence of any attack.
“I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said there was no such incident.”
He added that he also contacted the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona, who was interviewed by journalists and equally refuted the claim that any abduction occurred.
The council chairman challenged anyone with credible information to come forward with the names of those allegedly kidnapped, stressing that no such list had been produced.
“I have been waiting for this list and no one has come forward with any name,” he said.
Madaki alleged that the rumour was being sponsored by individuals unhappy with the relative peace Kajuru has enjoyed under the present administration.
He advised residents to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities, urging them to report suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agencies.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), said the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria and other religious leaders had engaged with residents of the affected area.
Shuaibu said the interaction confirmed that the information circulated to the public about the alleged abduction was completely false.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
