Faisal Usman Fagge
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has reversed their earlier position on the alleged abduction of worshippers in Kaduna State after a list containing the names of 177 victims emerged.
On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in the community and whisked away over worshippers.
However, on Monday, the Kaduna police command dismissed the report as a falsehood spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to disrupt the state’s relative peace.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, the state’s commissioner of police, challenged those spreading the reports to provide names and details of the victims, insisting that there was no record of such abductions.
Following police denial, Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N), a human rights group, said the abductions took place and accused security operatives of obstructing efforts to independently verify the incident.
The group accused security personnel of preventing its team from accessing the community during a fact-finding visit, despite presenting proper identification.
Police admit abductions
However, in a statement on Tuesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the force public relations officer, said the initial confusion followed a meeting of the Kaduna state security council convened by Uba Sani, governor of the state.
Hundeyin said some individuals from Kajuru LGA disputed the abduction claims during the meeting, describing them as false.
He said comments made by the commissioner of police during a media interaction were aimed at preventing panic while verification was ongoing and were not intended to deny the incident.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” the statement reads.
Following the confirmation, Hundeyin said Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), ordered the deployment of tactical units and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.
He noted that the deployment includes intensified patrols, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and proactive measures to protect lives and property.
Hundeyin urged the public and media to rely on official police communication for verified information and to avoid speculation that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.
He added that the police would provide updates as developments unfold.
Names of victims identified
The confirmation of the incident follows the release of the identities of the abducted victims.
Vanguard reported that a total of 177 people were kidnapped, and the list shows that whole families were taken. For example, the Jonathan family had 12 members abducted, while the Amos family lost 13.
The Markus/Makudi household saw 10 people taken, and the Ishaya and Danisa families each had seven members kidnapped. Other families also suffered heavy losses, including the Bawa family with six members, and the Danjuma and Musa families with five each.
Several households had smaller numbers taken, with four, three, or two members kidnapped.
The victims include both the elderly and young children. The oldest is 71-year-old Augustina Matthew, while the youngest is six-year-old Salvation Idris. Other children listed include Likita Amos (6), Jumota Idris (7), Tessy Amos (8), Yahaya Joshua (9), and several 10-year-olds such as Sussana Idris, Synthah Amos, Hezibah, and Hezikaiah Jonathan.
