Amid official denials and growing public confusion, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has insisted that the reported attack on churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State did happen, describing it as a painful incident confirmed through its internal networks long before it reached the media.
Speaking from his long experience within CAN’s leadership structure, the northern regional chairman explained that the organisation operates a deeply connected communication system, stretching from the national level down to grassroots communities. According to him, this structure makes it difficult for incidents of this magnitude to go unnoticed or be fabricated.
He disclosed that the first alert reached him at exactly 2:56 p.m. on Sunday, shortly after the attack. The message reported that armed men had invaded worship centres—specifically Cherubim and Seraphim Church One, Cherubim and Seraphim Church Two (also known locally as Bishara and Husky Cherubim and Seraphim)—and marched worshippers into the bush. At the time, the exact number of those taken was unclear, largely because fear had gripped the community and immediate verification was impossible.
The situation was made more complex by the absence of some local CAN leaders, including the Kaduna State chairman, who was out of the country when the incident occurred. Still, information continued to flow through established channels. By Monday, reports had already surfaced on social media, with Sahara Reporters breaking the story after eyewitness accounts appeared on Facebook.
As calls poured in from journalists and concerned Nigerians, CAN leaders chose caution. They delayed public statements, not out of denial, but to avoid spreading unverified figures and to prevent panic—especially at a time when there had been positive security developments in Kaduna, including the rescue of kidnapped clergy and the release of relatives of a slain priest.
When numbers ranging as high as 100 abducted persons began circulating, CAN pushed back against what it described as exaggerations. The focus, they argued, should not be on conflicting figures but on the undeniable fact that worshippers were attacked and some taken. They also noted that several victims escaped and returned, which naturally affected early estimates.
CAN maintained that security agencies were informed immediately after the incident, expressing concern over later official statements suggesting that nothing had happened. According to the association, such claims only deepened confusion and inflicted further emotional pain on affected families.
Addressing the contradiction between their account and that of security agencies, the CAN leader stopped short of accusing authorities of deliberate cover-ups, instead suggesting miscommunication or errors within the system. He emphasised the importance of careful language, noting that while mistakes can be corrected through dialogue, damaging trust between citizens and security agencies would only worsen an already fragile situation.
He revealed that engagements with security agencies and senior officials have since led to a shared understanding: the incident did occur, and innocent worshippers were taken during church services. Assurances were also given that efforts would be made to pursue those responsible.
Responding to questions about going public, he clarified that CAN did not break the story. Rather, they were compelled to respond after media reports had already placed the issue in the public domain. He questioned how families of abducted persons would feel hearing official denials while their loved ones were missing.
CAN insists it applies a clear standard before speaking publicly—confidence in verified information and readiness to admit error if proven wrong. In this case, the association says it went as far as providing names of victims and presenting escapees who returned with injuries.
Looking beyond Kajuru, the association warned of broader security threats, citing intelligence about planned attacks on Christian communities in other states, including Niger, Kogi and Kwara. CAN argued that downplaying such violence as mere “banditry” undermines its seriousness, especially when armed groups openly terrorise civilians.
While acknowledging concerns that incidents like this could attract international attention, CAN framed it as an opportunity for Nigeria to correct narratives through transparency and decisive action. Ultimately, the group stressed that security must be inclusive and collaborative.
“If one community is unsafe, no one is truly safe,” the CAN leader said, calling for trust, honest communication and genuine cooperation between citizens and security agencies as the only path to lasting peace.
