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 Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership confirmed the mass abduction, the Kaduna State Police Command, local government chairman, and state government officials have categorically denied that any such incident occurred, describing the reports as “falsehood” and “fabrications by conflict entrepreneurs.”
Reverend Joseph John Hayab, chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states, confirmed that 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 the figures but what I got from the area is that 172 were said to have been abducted and nine managed to escape, with the remaining 163 people still with the abductors,” Hayab told journalists on Monday.
The CAN leader described the incident as “very tough and sad,” but expressed determination to work with security agencies and government to secure the safe return of the victims.
“Whatever is 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 away congregants into nearby forests.
A few victims, mainly the elderly, were later said to have been released, while the majority remained in captivity.
However, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Rabiu, speaking to journalists after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, dismissed the reports as fabrications.
“The story is a mere falsehood. Anyone who claims people were kidnapped should come forward with names and particulars,” the police commissioner said, warning that purveyors of rumours will face the full wrath of the law.
Rabiu described the reports as the work of “conflict entrepreneurs bent on disrupting peace in the state.”
The chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Mr. Dauda Madaki, corroborated the police position, saying security agencies swiftly moved to the area following 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 kidnap was said to have occurred and found no trace of any incident,” Madaki said.
According to the council chairman, the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and the youth leader of the community, Bernard Bona, both 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 the leadership of CAN and other religious leaders, confirmed that the reports were unfounded.
“What was circulated in the public space was completely false,” Shuaibu said, reaffirming that Kaduna State government has zero tolerance for criminality.
Interestingly, international media outlets, including the BBC, reported the kidnapping as confirmed by local police, creating further confusion about what actually transpired.
The BBC quoted local police as saying gunmen armed with “sophisticated weapons” burst into two churches in Kurmin Wali, a forest community in Afogo ward, at about 11:25 a.m. local time.
“The attackers came in numbers and blocked the entrance of the churches and forced the worshippers out 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 reports come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, particularly in the northern and central regions where armed gangs, known locally as “bandits,” frequently carry out mass kidnappings for ransom.
In November 2025, more than 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school and later released in two successive groups—one of several high-profile kidnappings that made international headlines.
Nigeria is facing numerous security challenges, including kidnappings for ransom by criminal gangs, an Islamist insurgency in the north-east, separatist violence in the south-east, and conflicts between herders and farmers in the centre over access to land and water.
Experts say corruption, poor intelligence sharing, and underfunded local policing have hampered efforts to tackle the various crises.
The US has recently become militarily involved in Nigeria, launching airstrikes on Christmas Day on two camps run by an Islamist militant group in north-western Nigeria.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump warned of more strikes if Christians continued to be killed in the West African nation.
A Nigerian foreign ministry spokesman responded to Trump’s warning by saying that Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with partners such as the US.
“Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination,” Alkasim Abdulkadir said.
The stark contradiction between CAN’s detailed account and the flat denials by state authorities raises serious questions about information management, security coordination, and public communication in crisis situations.
As of press time, efforts to reach Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, for clarification proved abortive, as calls and messages to his mobile phone remained unanswered.
The Kaduna State government has urged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, advising them to report suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agencies.
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