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Police dismiss claims of churchgoer kidnappings
Authorities in Nigeria's Kaduna state have refuted reports that worshippers were abducted from churches on Sunday, calling the allegations "falsehood spread by conflict entrepreneurs."
Official denial and investigation
Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, in a joint statement with local officials on Monday, challenged critics to provide names or details of alleged victims. He described the reports as an attempt to "cause chaos."
Dauda Madaki, chairman of Kajuru local government area, said security forces deployed to Kurmin Wali found no evidence of an attack. The village head, Mai Dan Zaria, confirmed no such incident occurred.
"What was pushed to the public was completely false," the state's commissioner for internal security reportedly said after religious leaders visited the area.
Conflicting accounts emerge
Earlier, a local official in Kurmin Wali told the BBC that gunmen had abducted dozens from multiple churches. Community leader Ishaku Dan'azumi Sarkin claimed 177 people were taken from three churches, with 11 escaping and several injured, though no deaths were reported.
Broader security crisis
Nigeria faces persistent security threats, including mass kidnappings for ransom, Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, and clashes between herders and farmers over resources. In November, over 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school before being released in stages.
Experts cite corruption, weak intelligence sharing, and underfunded local policing as key obstacles to addressing the crises. Last month, Nigeria's defence minister resigned amid the kidnapping surge, with the presidency citing health reasons.
International involvement
The U.S. conducted airstrikes on Christmas Day against Islamist militant camps in northwestern Nigeria. President Donald Trump later warned of further strikes if attacks on Christians continued.
Nigeria's foreign ministry responded by reaffirming its commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and pledged continued cooperation with international partners like the U.S.
"Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike, without discrimination," said spokesman Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Context
With over 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria is roughly divided between a Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south, though religious demographics overlap in central regions. The government maintains that all faiths have been targeted by violence.
