A human rights organisation, Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N), has maintained that more than 100 worshippers were abducted during coordinated attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, despite firm denials from security agencies and local authorities.
According to CSW-N, the incident occurred on Sunday when armed assailants reportedly stormed three churches in the community during worship services. The group claimed that the attackers forcefully led over 100 congregants into the surrounding bush in what it described as a well-coordinated operation.
However, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Rabiu, alongside the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, rejected the claims, describing them as false and misleading. Speaking at a press conference at the Government House in Kaduna on Monday, both officials challenged those behind the reports to provide the names and identities of the alleged victims.
Madaki said he personally accompanied security operatives to Kurmin Wali after hearing about the reports but found no evidence of any attack. He stated that the churches mentioned showed no signs of violence, while traditional rulers and youth leaders in the area also denied that any abduction had taken place.
CSW-N, however, stood by its account. In a statement released on Tuesday, the organisation’s Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, accused security operatives of obstructing efforts to independently verify what happened in the community.
The group alleged that its fact-finding team was stopped by soldiers and denied access to Kurmin Wali, even after presenting valid identification. CSW-N said that after being delayed for about an hour, its team proceeded to nearby Makyali village and attempted to reach Kurmin Wali through an unmarked route.
According to the organisation, the team later encountered a military convoy, which included the Kajuru Local Government chairman, leaving Kurmin Wali. CSW-N claimed its team was again refused entry into the community on the grounds of a “standing order” and was eventually escorted back to the main road leading to Kaduna.
CSW-N further stated that information from community sources indicated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, splitting into three groups to target the churches simultaneously. The group alleged that worshippers were taken into the bush, while elderly women and young children were later released, with some victims reportedly escaping.
At the time of engaging with community sources, CSW-N said as many as 167 people were believed to still be in captivity, adding that efforts were ongoing to compile a verified list of those allegedly abducted.
Describing the situation as deeply troubling, the organisation accused both the Kaduna State and Federal Governments of failing to adequately protect rural communities from repeated attacks, warning that the conflicting accounts only deepen fear and uncertainty among residents already grappling with insecurity.
