Northern CAN Slams Security Agencies Over Initial Denial of Kaduna Abduction

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Northern region, Reverend Joseph Hayab, has criticised security agencies over their initial dismissal of reports surrounding the abduction of worshippers in Kaduna State, describing the response as a serious institutional failure.

Hayab spoke on Wednesday shortly after the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the abduction, which occurred in Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area, did take place, days after officials had publicly questioned the authenticity of the reports.

According to him, the outright denial by senior security officials deepened public distrust and undermined confidence in agencies responsible for protecting citizens.

He expressed concern that the period spent disputing the incident could have been used to pursue the abductors and possibly prevent them from escaping with their victims.

Reports of the attack first emerged on Sunday, with residents alleging that more than 100 worshippers were taken during the assault on the community. However, the Kaduna State Government and security authorities initially stated that there was no verified evidence of such an incident.

The position later changed when the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that intelligence assessments and operational reports established that the abduction did occur.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, Hundeyin explained that the earlier response by the Kaduna State Police Command was intended to avoid panic while facts were being verified, adding that the remarks were not meant to dismiss the claims entirely.

Despite the clarification, the Northern CAN chairman maintained that the delay in acknowledgment affected emergency response efforts and allowed the perpetrators additional time to evade security forces.

He warned that repeated incidents of delayed or conflicting communication by security agencies could further weaken public cooperation, particularly in communities already affected by frequent kidnappings.

The Kaduna abduction adds to a growing list of mass kidnappings across northern Nigeria, where armed groups have continued to target rural communities and places of worship.