The Nigeria Police Force(NPF) has confirmed the abduction of 177 Christian worshippers in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, ending days of conflicting reports regarding the mass kidnapping.
The confirmation comes as a reversal of earlier remarks that had cast doubt on the incident, which the police now admit caused significant public anxiety.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the initial confusion stemmed from a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council.
During that meeting, convened by Governor Uba Sani, some individuals from the local government had disputed the reports, leading to a temporary narrative shift.
Hundeyin clarified that previous comments made by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police were “misunderstood” and were not intended as a denial. Instead, he described them as a “measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.”
Following subsequent checks by intelligence sources and operational units, the Force confirmed that the mass abduction did occur. In response, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of “critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.”
These assets include tactical units and intensified aerial and ground patrols. The statement noted that coordinated security operations have been activated in collaboration with other agencies, with the primary objective being “targeted search-and-rescue operations with the aim to rescue the victims.”
The police leadership appealed to the media and the general public to avoid speculations that could jeopardize the safety of the captives or undermine the efforts of the rescue teams.
“The Force remains fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold,” Hundeyin stated, urging citizens to rely on official channels for verified information.
The Kurmin Wali incident marks one of the largest mass abductions in the state this year, once again thrusting the security of the Kajuru axis into the national spotlight.
