0
0
Police Deny Issuing Conflicting Statements on Kaduna Abduction
The Nigeria Police Force has denied claims that it issued conflicting statements about the reported abduction of worshippers in Kaduna State.
The incident took place in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area. Reports said that 177 worshippers were taken during an attack.
Early reports were rejected by the Kaduna State Police Command and the Kaduna State Government. This led to public criticism and confusion. Later, officials confirmed that the abduction happened.
On Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, January 21, Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the Force did not contradict itself. He explained that early reactions were based on limited evidence.
“There is no inconsistency from the statement coming from the police. The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police said when we received the information, we immediately mobilised to the scene. We are yet to get any evidence as this happened,” Hundeyin said.
Hundeyin added that once evidence became available, the police confirmed the incident. He said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered helicopter surveillance and sent more officers and intelligence teams to the area. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
Earlier Denial and Later Confirmation
In a statement on Tuesday, January 20, the police said the abduction was first disputed during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting led by Governor Uba Sani.
Hundeyin said the council received mixed reports from people in the affected area. Some witnesses claimed the abduction happened, while others denied it. This caused initial uncertainty.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, asked those making claims to provide a list of abducted persons and their details. He said this would help prevent public panic while investigations continued.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, also said that talks with community leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria suggested the reports may not be accurate.
However, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria for the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, John Hayab, insisted that worshippers were taken during the attack.
The police said the confusion came from the mixed accounts heard during the Security Council meeting.
