The Nigerian military has firmly rejected allegations that it responded slowly to the mass abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community of Kaduna State, insisting that coordinated and intelligence-driven operations are ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims.
Residents of the community in Kajuru Local Government Area had accused troops of sluggish action following the attack, claiming security forces failed to prevent the abduction or make immediate progress toward rescuing those taken. Some community members alleged that soldiers withdrew after an initial attempt to access the surrounding forest where the attackers were believed to be hiding, fueling public criticism of the military’s response.
However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims, stressing that rescue efforts have remained active since the incident. In a statement issued by the Director of Media Operations of the Armed Forces, Major General Michael Onoja, the military acknowledged the anxiety of affected families but assured them that the rescue of the abducted worshippers remains a top operational priority.
According to the statement, the Armed Forces of Nigeria are conducting sustained operations in collaboration with other security agencies, combining ground patrols, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and targeted maneuvers within forested areas suspected of harbouring the kidnappers. The military explained that these operations are carefully structured to avoid endangering the lives of the captives.
Major General Onoja emphasized that what some observers perceive as hesitation is, in some instances, deliberate operational restraint designed to protect victims from harm. He noted that while the pain and fear experienced by families are fully understood, certain tactical decisions are guided by the need to prevent unintended casualties during rescue missions.
The military reiterated its constitutional mandate to safeguard lives and property and reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks responsible for the abduction. It assured the public that significant efforts are underway to reunite the victims with their families, even as sensitive operational details remain undisclosed for security reasons.
The Armed Forces also appealed for patience and continued cooperation from the public, stressing that community support is critical to the success of ongoing operations. It urged residents to rely on verified information and avoid speculation that could undermine security efforts.
The Kurmin Wali abduction was first reported last Sunday, with more than 100 worshippers said to have been taken during the attack. Initial responses from both the Kaduna State Government and security agencies dismissed the reports. However, days later, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the incident had indeed occurred, explaining that the earlier position was intended to prevent panic while facts were being verified.
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