•CAN Northern chairman, Reverend John Hayab
The Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, has described reports of the kidnapping of 163 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area as false.
Addressing reporters after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House today, the police commissioner challenged anyone making the claim to list the names of the alleged victims and provide other particulars.
He warned against attempts to derail the prevailing peace in Kaduna State, reports The PUNCH.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Kajuru LGA, Dauda Madaki, said that upon hearing rumours of the attack, he mobilised the police and other security agencies to Kurmin Wali community but found that no such attack had occurred.
“We visited the church where the so-called kidnap took place. There was no evidence of any attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said there was no such incident.
“I also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona, who was interviewed by the journalists that accompanied me, and he said that no such thing happened.
“So, I challenge anyone to name the people that were kidnapped. I have been waiting for this list, and no one has come forward with a name.
“I believe that the rumour of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration,” he added.
Madaki advised residents of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful activities.
He urged them to report any suspicious movements and rumourmongers to security agents.
The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Hayab, had alleged today that worshippers were abducted from Cherubim and Seraphim Church 1 and Cherubim and Seraphim Church 2, both in Kajuru.
Hayab claimed that the assailants stormed the churches while services were ongoing, locked the gates and marched the worshippers into the bush.
In response, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), said that the CAN chairman and other religious leaders had interacted with residents of the area where the alleged kidnapping was said to have occurred.
“They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false,” he said, assuring that “the Kaduna State Government has zero tolerance for criminality.”
