Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
KADUNA, Nigeria — A sharp dispute has erupted between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigeria Police Force over claims that 163 Christians were abducted in parts of Southern Kaduna, highlighting ongoing tensions over security incidents and community safety in one of the country’s most volatile regions.
On Friday, CAN released a statement asserting that no fewer than 163 Christians had been abducted in recent months across several communities in Southern Kaduna, a region that has long experienced periodic conflict and violence. The association said the figures reflect a distressing pattern of targeted kidnappings and appealed to authorities to intervene decisively and protect vulnerable populations. However, the Nigeria Police Force has publicly disputed the claims, saying no verified abductions have occurred and challenging CAN to produce names and particulars of the alleged victims.
The conflicting accounts have reignited debate over security reporting and the verification of incidents in areas affected by communal violence, banditry and kidnappings, underscoring deep mistrust between civil society groups and security agencies over how information on insecurity is gathered and communicated.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body representing Christian denominations in Nigeria, said in its statement that 163 Christians were abducted in Southern Kaduna over a period that it did not specify fully but which local activists say covers the latter part of 2025 through early 2026. CAN described the kidnappings as serious breaches of human rights and a failure of security arrangements in communities that have endured cycles of violence, displacement and loss.
According to CAN, several communities — including Fadan Karshi, Ungwan Sarki, Dogon Noma, and other villages in Kaura, Jema’a and Kachia Local Government Areas — have borne the brunt of the insecurity. The association said the abducted individuals included farmers and traders going about their daily routines when they were allegedly seized by armed groups.
CAN’s national leadership said the unresolved nature of these abductions has caused deep fear and trauma among ordinary residents, particularly in rural areas where security presence is thin and response times are slow. The association reiterated its call for the swift release of all alleged abductees and for government to bolster protection for civilians.
In a swift and formal rebuttal, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed CAN’s claims, stating that it had no records of any abductions involving 163 individuals in Southern Kaduna. In an official statement, police spokespersons challenged CAN to provide verifiable names, locations and dates of the alleged kidnappings, saying that without such details the allegations cannot be confirmed.
The police reiterated that security agencies remain on alert and have responded to isolated incidents of banditry and criminal activity in parts of Kaduna State, but affirmed that there has been no mass abduction incident that matches the scale claimed by CAN. Officers said that they continue to monitor security trends and have deployed personnel to hotspots but insisted that CAN’s figures are “unsubstantiated”.
The dispute reflects deep-seated tensions between community organisations and security agencies over how insecurity is reported and managed in parts of northern and central Nigeria. Local activists and civil society leaders have frequently accused authorities of under‑reporting kidnappings, attacks and other violent incidents, arguing that official statistics often lag behind ground realities or fail to capture the extent of local suffering.
Conversely, the police and other government forces have, at times, argued that certain claims circulating in the media or through social networks are exaggerated or lack factual backing, a dynamic that complicates efforts to build public trust.
Southern Kaduna has a long history of communal tensions and periodic clashes, often tied to disputes over land, resources and ethnicity. These dynamics, coupled with the presence of criminal gangs and loosely aligned armed groups, have made parts of the region vulnerable to violence, displacement and insecurity.
In response to the clash of narratives, several civil society groups and community leaders have called for independent investigation and verification of the alleged abductions. They argue that neutral fact‑finding — possibly involving human rights organisations and media representatives — is essential to establish the truth and prevent misinformation from inflaming tensions further.
Analysts note that accurate data on kidnappings and other security incidents is critical for shaping effective policy responses and for directing resources where they are most needed. Without verified information, efforts to secure affected communities and support victims can falter.
Officials from the Kaduna State Government have acknowledged concerns about security in Southern Kaduna but have not publicly confirmed the specific CAN figures. State authorities said they are working closely with federal security forces to address threats, bolster patrols and engage community stakeholders in peacebuilding initiatives.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army and other security agencies are also active in the region, conducting patrols and responding to reported incidents of violence and banditry. Authorities have urged residents to report credible information through official channels to ensure timely and appropriate responses.
For residents in affected communities, the disagreement between CAN and the police captures a larger frustration with recurring insecurity and the challenges of sustaining livelihoods under constant threat. Farmers and traders in rural Southern Kaduna often face disrupted planting and market activities due to fear of attacks, contributing to economic hardship and displacement.
Human rights advocates emphasise that whether or not the specific number of alleged abductees is confirmed, the underlying issue of insecurity in the region requires sustained attention from all levels of government, with a focus on protection, accountability and community engagement.
As the dispute over the abduction figures continues, both civil society and official security actors face pressure to improve transparency and verification mechanisms. Accurate reporting, analysts say, will be essential not only for addressing specific incidents but also for building confidence in institutions tasked with protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians in volatile regions.
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