Authorities in northern Nigeria have dismissed reports claiming that numerous worshippers were kidnapped from churches in Kaduna state on Sunday. In a joint statement released on Monday, Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu characterized the claims as “mere falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos.”
These statements came in response to earlier assertions made by a local official from Kurmin Wali, who informed the BBC that armed assailants had taken dozens of individuals from various churches within the area. This incident is viewed against the backdrop of a troubling trend of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, where both Christian and Muslim communities have been targeted. Criminal gangs frequently orchestrate such attacks to demand ransom payments.
Authorities challenge the accuracy of the claims
In addressing the alleged abductions from Sunday, Commissioner Rabiu challenged anyone to provide the names and details of the purported victims. He stated, “If this incident indeed occurred, we would expect clear evidence.” Following reports of the alleged kidnapping, Dauda Madaki, the chairman of the Kajuru local government area, confirmed that security forces were dispatched to Kurmin Wali but found “no evidence of the attack.” He reported having spoken with the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, who corroborated that no such incident had taken place.
Additionally, police officials quoted the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, who noted that a visit by religious leaders to the area confirmed the absence of any attacks. He stated, ”They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false.”
Conflicting reports from community leaders
However, contradicting these official accounts, a local leader from Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi Sarkin, claimed earlier to the BBC that armed men had indeed attacked the area on Sunday, resulting in the kidnapping of 177 individuals from three churches. He reported that 11 people managed to escape, while several others sustained injuries; fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.
Nigeria has faced a surge in kidnappings over the past few months, with a notable case in November when over 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic institution, only to be released in two separate groups. This incident was part of a broader wave of kidnappings that gained significant international attention.
The country is currently grappling with various security challenges, including ransom kidnappings by criminal gangs, an Islamist insurgency in the northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, and conflicts between herders and farmers in the central regions over land and water resources. Analysts attribute these crises to factors such as corruption, inadequate intelligence sharing, and underfunded local law enforcement.
In a recent development, Nigeria’s defence minister resigned amidst the ongoing kidnapping crisis, officially citing health reasons, according to a statement from the president’s office. Additionally, the United States has taken military action in Nigeria, conducting airstrikes on Christmas Day against two camps operated by an Islamist militant faction in the northwest. President Donald Trump has warned of further military interventions if attacks against Christians in the region persist.
Nigeria is home to over 250 ethnic groups, primarily divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south, with diverse communities residing in the central regions. The government maintains that individuals of all faiths have suffered from violence and attacks. In response to international concerns, a Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that the nation is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, stating, ”Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination.”