Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and human rights lawyer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has questioned the Kaduna State Police Command’s initial denial of reports that worshippers were abducted from churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Odinkalu raised the concerns on Tuesday via his verified X account after police dismissed claims that worshippers were kidnapped during Sunday church services, describing the reports as false and capable of causing public panic.
He shared video clips allegedly from affected churches, showing disrupted interiors, and said the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, had visited the communities, inspected places of worship, and spoken with survivors. Odinkalu suggested the incident should not have been downplayed, insisting that available evidence warranted transparent communication.
The controversy followed earlier claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria that armed men attacked churches in Kajuru and abducted worshippers. CAN’s Northern Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the attackers blocked church entrances and forced worshippers into nearby bushes.
In response, the Kaduna State Police Command, alongside local government authorities, initially dismissed the claims. Kajuru LGA Chairman, Dauda Madaki, said security operatives deployed to Kurmin Wali found no evidence of an attack, citing information from local traditional leaders.
However, the Nigeria Police Force later confirmed on Tuesday night that an abduction did occur in Kurmin Wali. Force spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said conflicting accounts from local sources led to initial caution, adding that earlier police comments were aimed at preventing panic while verification was ongoing.
Keywords: Kaduna abductions, Kajuru LGA, Nigeria Police Force, Chidi Odinkalu, church security
