Summary:
Security chiefs and local government officials in Kaduna have vehemently denied reports of a mass kidnapping of worshippers, citing a lack of evidence after on-site inspections. Authorities are now warning against the spread of fake news designed to disrupt the state’s relative peace.
The Kaduna State Police Command and state government officials have moved decisively to quell rising panic, categorically debunking viral reports alleging the abduction of over 100 worshippers in the Kajuru area. In a firm rebuttal issued on Monday, authorities described the narrative not merely as a rumor, but as a calculated fabrication by “conflict entrepreneurs” aiming to destabilize the state.
Challenging the Narrative
Following a crucial State Security Council meeting at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, addressed the press with a direct challenge to the originators of the report. He dismissed the claims of the attack at Kurmin Wali as baseless, demanding that those peddling the information produce a verified list of victims or evidence of the incident.
Rabiu warned that the spread of such fake news poses a direct threat to public safety. He emphasized that the law would take its full course against individuals identified as “merchants of falsehood” seeking to derail the prevailing peace in the region.
On-the-Ground Verification
Corroborating the police stance, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, provided details of an immediate fact-finding mission. Madaki stated that upon hearing the rumors, he mobilized security forces to the alleged crime scene only to find the community calm and intact.
“We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place. There was no evidence of the attack,” Madaki asserted. He cited testimonies from key community leaders, including the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and the local youth leader, Bernard Bona, both of whom confirmed that no abduction occurred.
Zero Tolerance for Alarmists
The government suggests that these rumors may be politically motivated or designed to fracture the peace the area has recently enjoyed. Sule Shauibu (SAN), the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, noted that religious leaders, including the CAN chairman, had also interacted with the locals and found the reports to be false.
The administration has reiterated its zero tolerance for criminality and urged residents to disregard the rumors while remaining vigilant and reporting genuine suspicious activities to security agents.