The Kaduna State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging the abduction of over 100 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area, describing the claims as false and deliberately aimed at causing panic and unrest in the state.
Speaking to journalists on Monday after a State Security Council meeting at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, said the report was a fabrication being spread by what he termed “conflict entrepreneurs.” He challenged those behind the claims to provide the names and details of the alleged victims.
Rabiu warned rumour mongers to desist from spreading falsehoods capable of undermining peace in the state, stressing that the full weight of the law would be applied against anyone found culpable.
Also addressing the issue, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, said he immediately mobilised security personnel to Kurmin Wali village after hearing the rumour of the alleged attack. According to him, investigations revealed that no such incident occurred.
“We visited the church where the alleged kidnap was said to have taken place and found no evidence of an attack,” Madaki said, adding that both the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and the local youth leader, Bernard Bona, confirmed that no worshippers were abducted.
Madaki further alleged that the rumour was being sponsored by individuals unhappy with the relative peace currently enjoyed in Kajuru. He urged residents to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and report any suspicious movements or false information to security agencies.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), said religious leaders, including the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), had visited the area and confirmed that the widely circulated report was entirely false. He reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s zero tolerance for criminality and misinformation.
