Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Human rights lawyer and former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has strongly criticised the Nigeria Police Force’s initial response to reports of church abductions in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Odinkalu took to his verified social media account to condemn what he described as an attempt by the police to suppress emerging facts about the mass abductions, underlining that “facts are stubborn” and cannot be dismissed merely to prevent public concern.
The controversy began after reports emerged that armed men stormed three churches during Sunday services, attacked congregations and abducted dozens of worshippers. Some initial accounts, including testimonies and video footage posted online, showed disrupted church interiors and survivors speaking about their ordeal — elements Odinkalu highlighted as evidence.
Odinkalu suggested that the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, had seen parts of the aftermath firsthand during a visit to the affected area. In social media posts he shared, Odinkalu alleged the commissioner’s public denial might have stemmed from pressure to downplay the incident, warning that acknowledging the attack could be politically or professionally costly. “I suspect the CP may fear that if he says truthfully what he saw, his paymasters in Abuja… will come for his job,” Odinkalu wrote, emphasising that “#FactsAreStubborn.”
The police initially denied that any mass church abduction had taken place, describing early media reports as falsehoods spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” and urging citizens not to be misled by unverified claims. The Kaduna State Police Commissioner publicly challenged those alleging kidnappings to provide names and details of victims, and local authorities, including the Kajuru Local Government chairman, echoed this denial, saying no evidence of an attack had been found at the time.
However, within 24 hours, the Nigeria Police Force acknowledged that abductions did occur after further verification by operational units and intelligence sources. The Force confirmed that coordinated attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali resulted in the abduction of worshippers, prompting the Inspector‑General of Police to deploy tactical and intelligence assets across Kajuru and neighbouring communities to rescue victims and apprehend the assailants.
Security officials cited conflicting accounts from individuals during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting as contributing to the initial confusion, and reiterated that early comments aimed to prevent panic while the situation was being fully verified.
Independent reports suggest that the attack involved over 160 worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali, with survivors and local sources recounting violent incursions during religious services and the forcible removal of congregants into the forest. Some witnesses escaped, while others remained in captivity. The exact number of abductees has been reported as around 167–177, with variants in figures emerging from different sources.
Christian advocacy groups and community leaders have strongly refuted official denials, insisting that the abductions were real and occurred as described by residents. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also supported claims of the incident, highlighting grassroots reports and urging security agencies to prioritise rescue efforts.
Prof. Odinkalu’s intervention has drawn attention not only to the factual realities of the attack but also to the broader issue of transparency in security communications. Rights advocates argue that early dismissals of credible reports can undermine public trust and hinder coordinated responses, especially in contexts where communities depend on timely and accurate information to protect themselves.
By spotlighting video evidence and survivor accounts, Odinkalu’s stance underscores the importance of ground‑verified evidence in shaping official narratives, particularly in high‑stakes situations involving mass abductions and the safety of civilians.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments