CAN Faults Police Over Denial of Reported Mass Kidnappings in Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised the Nigerian Police Force over its initial denial of reports that several worshippers were abducted during attacks on churches in parts of Kaduna State.

CAN said the police response was insensitive and dismissive, especially as affected communities were still grappling with fear, trauma and uncertainty over the fate of missing persons. The association maintained that armed attackers invaded churches in the Kajuru axis of the state during worship services, abducting numerous congregants while others managed to escape.

According to CAN, church leaders and residents promptly raised the alarm and began compiling the names of those taken, insisting that the incidents were real and verifiable. The group expressed concern that the police dismissal of the reports as rumours undermined public trust and discouraged victims from coming forward.

The police had earlier challenged those making the claims to provide credible evidence, stating that there was no confirmed record of mass kidnappings in the area at the time. This position, however, drew widespread criticism from religious bodies and civil society groups.

CAN called on security agencies to prioritise the protection of vulnerable communities and adopt a more responsive approach to security threats, rather than publicly discrediting reports from residents. The association also urged the government to intensify efforts to rescue all abducted persons and prevent further attacks in the state.