•CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh and IGP Kayode Egbetokun
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised security agencies over their response to the recent abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement issued today in Abuja and signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN expressed concern over what it described as poor public communication by the security agencies.
The association said the early response lacked sensitivity and thoroughness, noting that dismissing reports of the incident before proper verification caused confusion and further eroded public confidence in the authorities.
CAN’s reaction followed hours after the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) officially acknowledged the kidnapping.
Reports of the abduction in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, first surfaced on Sunday, with claims that more than 100 worshippers were taken during the attack.
Both the Kaduna State government and security agencies initially dismissed the reports, insisting that no such incident had occurred.
However, days later, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the abduction did take place.
In a statement issued late yesterday, Hundeyin said intelligence and operational findings had verified the incident.
He explained that the earlier position of the Kaduna State Police Command was aimed at preventing panic while investigations were ongoing and facts were being established.
Reacting to the police confirmation, CAN acknowledged the challenges security agencies often face in verifying incidents, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
However, the association stressed that such challenges do not justify shortcomings in the handling of sensitive information.
CAN said it was disturbed by the early dismissal of reports about the abduction before a comprehensive verification was carried out, describing the approach as inappropriate given the gravity of the incident.
“The initial public dismissal of reports about this incident, before thorough verification, was deeply troubling.
“It generated confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of nearly 170 worshippers, their families, clergy, and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm,” the statement said.
It added that, “In situations of this gravity, public communication must not appear dismissive of the suffering or fears of affected citizens.
“While the need to prevent panic is understandable, caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference.”
The association emphasised that statements from senior security officials carry immense weight and must be delivered with care, accuracy, empathy, and a clear understanding of their effects on public trust and social stability, particularly in situations involving threats to human life.
CAN acknowledged the subsequent confirmation of the abduction and commended the Inspector-General of Police for deploying operational and intelligence resources to the affected area, describing the action as both necessary and welcome.
However, the association stressed that such measures should be accompanied by a more disciplined and people-focused approach to crisis communication in the future.
It urged all security agencies and relevant authorities to strengthen coordination, improve verification procedures, and ensure that credible community reports are treated with the seriousness they deserve.
“Victims must be protected, genuine distress calls respected, and misinformation, whether dismissive or sensational, must be avoided,” CAN stated.
The association also called on governments at all levels to tackle the persistent insecurity across the country with renewed urgency, warning that recurring attacks continue to threaten lives, disrupt worship, and undermine public confidence.
CAN appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted, praying for their safe and unharmed return.
It urged security agencies to intensify every possible effort, operational, intelligence, and diplomatic, to ensure a swift rescue, stressing that the protection of innocent lives must remain the highest priority.
