Ogona Anita
The Nigeria Police Force has finally confirmed that Christian worshipers were abducted on Sunday by terrorists at Kurmin Wali in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State while church services were going on.
Recall that 170 worshipers were abducted from the ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim Churches during Sunday service on January 18, 2026.
Despites media reports, both the Kaduna State Government and the Kaduna State Police Command vehemently denied the abductions describing the news as an alarmist misinformation.
But in turnaround, the spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday night confirmed that indeed the terrorist attacks and abductions indeed took place.
According to the police spokesman, the initial denial was caused by the “confusion” created by conflicting reports of the incident. He noted that the Kaduna State Government had convened an emergency security meeting, but was distracted by some people from the affected community who felt that the reports were causing serious panic in parts of the state.
According to him, the conflicting accounts necessitated caution and further verification before making definitive public statements on the matter.
The police said comments made by the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State during a media interaction were aimed at preventing unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed and were not intended to deny the incident.
“The remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected,” the statement sai
He said subsequent verification by operational units and intelligence sources later confirmed that the abduction did take place.
Hundeyin said coordinated security operations were immediately activated in collaboration with other security agencies, with a focus on rescuing the victims and restoring calm in the area
Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur. The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, activated coordinated security operations, working closely with other security agencies, with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area, ” he said.
Hundeyin said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities. He, however, noted that the Force had deployed tactical units in search of the terrorists, while coordinated efforts were being made to rescue the abducted worshipers.
The full statement reads:
INCIDENT AT KURMIN WALI COMMUNITY, KAJURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE
The Nigeria Police The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the deep concern generated by reports of an abduction incident at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Force understands the fear and anxiety such reports cause to families, residents, and the general public, and treats the safety of every citizen as a matter of utmost priority.
Upon receiving the report, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by the Governor.
During the meeting at the Government House, Kaduna, some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report, which had earlier been confirmed by the Police, and described it as false. This created uncertainty and reinforced the need for caution and thorough verification by the Police and other security agencies before making conclusive public statements on such a sensitive matter.
In this context, comments made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, during a media interaction were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed. Those remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.
Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur. The Nigeria Police Force therefore activated coordinated security operations, working closely with other security agencies, with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities. These efforts include deployment of tactical units as well as intensified patrols already in place, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and proactive measures to protect lives and property.
The Nigeria Police Force appeals to members of the public and the media for patience and cooperation. The public is encouraged to rely on official police communications for verified information and to avoid speculation or sensational reporting that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.
The Force remains fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.
CSP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters,Abuja.
20th January 2026.
