The Christian Association of Nigeria and Kaduna state government have clashed over the reported abduction of over 170 Christian worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state two days ago.
On Sunday, bandits were reported to have attacked three churches in the state, ECWA, Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and 2 abducting over 170 worshippers including women, elderly and youths. The criminals were said to have released nine abductees believe to be the elders among them, while others were marched into the bush.
According to the report, the bandits stormed the three churches while services were ongoing, locked the gate after which the ordered the worshippers to march in a single file as they awere marched away.
Confirming the incident, CAN’s chairperson in the Kajuru LGA, Enoch Kaura, informed journalists that bandits abducted about 163 worshippers during a church service in the LGA on Sunday
The CAN in North Central and Abuja have also confirmed the abduction, saying they are working with the security agencies to secure the release of the abducted worshippers.
The LGA CAN chairperson detailed what happened: “The attack occurred while members were in the middle of the service. The bandits arrived in large numbers, blocked the church entrance, and forced the congregation into the bush,” Mr Kaura explained.
“It has been confirmed that 172 people were abducted, including men, women, and children. With nine individuals having escaped, 163 people remain in captivity.”
But in a swift reaction, the state government said those pudding the report were just trying to cause confusion in the state, saying no worshippers was kidnapped.
The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Sha said
told journalists that the reported abduction was completely false, saying the state government is currently working with CAN and community leaders over the incident.
‘’They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false,” he said.
Also speaking over the alleged abduction, the chairman of the LGA, Dauda Madaki, said there was nothing like it, stating that officials of the Council and security agencies swung into a toon as soon as they learnt that worshippers were being kidnapped by the bandits.
Madaki: “When he heard the rumour of the attack, we mobilised the police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found out that there was no attack.
“We visited the church where the so-called kidnapping took place. There was no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack.
“I also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona, who was interviewed by the pressmen who accompanied me, and he said that no such thing happened.
‘’So, I challenge anyone to name the people that were kidnapped, and I have been waiting for this list, and no one has come forward with a name.
‘’I believe that the rumour of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration,’’ the council chair said.
Also, the Nigerian Police said on Monday that the reported abduction was false, waiting those it accused of trying to cause chaos in the state that the security agencies will not hesitate to punish them.
On Monday, the state governor Uba Sani met with CAN officials in the state to brainstorm over the incident.
Meanwhile, the major opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the incident, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act fast to rescue the abductee, and ensure that the problem of kidnapping in the country is nipped in the bud.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
