Police verify Kajuru LGA abduction in Kaduna after earlier stories dismissed incident
The Nigeria Police Pressure has confirmed that an abduction incident occurred in Kajuru Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State, after earlier stories advised that the incident didn’t happen.
The affirmation was contained in a press release issued on Tuesday by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, Pressure Public Relations Officer, Pressure Headquarters, Abuja.
The clarification adopted conflicting accounts that created uncertainty and heightened public concern over the incident.
The Police mentioned coordinated safety operations had since been activated within the affected neighborhood, with efforts centered on finding and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the world.
Within the assertion, the Nigeria Police Pressure acknowledged the concern and nervousness attributable to stories of the kidnapping at Kurmin Wali, a distant neighborhood in Kajuru LGA, stressing that the protection of residents remained its utmost precedence.
It defined that after the report emerged, the Kaduna State Safety Council was convened by the Governor on the Authorities Home in Kaduna. Through the assembly, some people from the affected native authorities space disputed the report and described it as false, regardless of earlier affirmation by the Police.
The Pressure mentioned the conflicting claims created uncertainty, reinforcing the necessity for warning and thorough verification by the Police and different safety companies earlier than making conclusive public statements on the matter.
“The Nigeria Police Pressure acknowledges the deep concern generated by stories of an abduction incident at Kurmin Wali, a distant neighborhood in Kajuru Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State,” the assertion learn partially.
It added, “Upon receiving the report, the Kaduna State Safety Council was convened by the Governor. Through the assembly on the Authorities Home, Kaduna, some people from the affected native authorities space disputed the report, which had earlier been confirmed by the Police, and described it as false.”
The Police appealed to the general public and the media to depend on official police communications for verified data and to keep away from hypothesis or sensational reporting that might jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public nervousness, assuring that updates could be offered as developments unfold.
In line with the assertion, feedback earlier made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, throughout a media interplay had been aimed toward stopping pointless panic whereas info had been being verified.
The Police clarified that the remarks weren’t a denial of the incident however a measured response pending affirmation of particulars from the sphere, together with the identities and variety of these affected.
Subsequent verification from operational models and intelligence sources later confirmed that the kidnapping did happen, prompting the activation of coordinated safety operations in collaboration with different safety companies.
The assertion added that the Inspector-Common of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed the total deployment of important operational and intelligence belongings to Kajuru and surrounding communities. These measures included the deployment of tactical models, intensified patrols, focused search-and-rescue operations, and proactive steps to guard lives and property.
The kidnapping reportedly occurred on January 18, 2026, in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State, when armed bandits attacked a minimum of two evangelical church buildings, abducting round 172 individuals and releasing just some aged girls and kids. Many stay in captivity, with lists of names circulating on-line.
The incident drew sturdy reactions.
Peter Obi criticized the federal government for spending billions on non-security issues whereas communities remained uncovered. In the US, Congressman Riley M. Moore known as the kidnapping a severe threat to Christian worshippers and urged pressing motion to make sure their protected return.
The incident comes amid earlier US considerations over Christian security, when in 2025 former President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of permitting mass killings, designated it a Nation of Specific Concern, suspended arms gross sales, and prompted US navy contingency planning.
A joint Nigeria–United States operation reportedly used 16 GPS-guided munitions on MQ-9 Reaper drones to focus on Islamic State enclaves in Sokoto State, neutralizing components making an attempt to infiltrate from the Sahel hall.
The kidnapping additionally highlights Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom disaster, with criminals reportedly demanding N48 billion however accumulating solely N2.57 billion between July 2024 and June 2025.