The police have acknowledged that worshippers were abducted during coordinated attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State, reversing an earlier denial that had dismissed the reports as false.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the force now accepts that the attack occurred and that several people were taken, following further verification by operational units and intelligence sources.
The admission comes a day after senior police officials publicly rejected claims that worshippers had been kidnapped during Sunday church services in the Kajuru Local Government Area, challenging religious leaders and community representatives to produce evidence.
According to accounts from church groups, armed militants attacked three churches on January 18 while services were ongoing. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 172 worshippers were seized, adding that nine later escaped, leaving 163 people taken into nearby forest areas.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) said the affected churches were Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1, and Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2.
On Monday, the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Rabiu, described the reports as fabrications spread by “conflict entrepreneurs”. The Kajuru council chairman, Dauda Madaki, also denied that any attack had taken place, citing assurances from local leaders.
The police said conflicting accounts from residents of the affected area created uncertainty and delayed public confirmation of the incident, despite earlier internal reports indicating that an abduction had occurred.
Following the renewed confirmation, the police said efforts were under way to rescue the victims and restore security in the area. Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of additional tactical and intelligence units, alongside intensified patrols and targeted search-and-rescue operations.
The incident prompted Governor Uba Sani to convene an emergency meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council amid growing public concern.
