A human rights organisation, Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N), says that more than 100 worshippers were abducted by suspected bandits during an attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, despite official denials by security agencies and local authorities.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N) alleged that suspected bandits invaded Kurmin Wali, a rural settlement in Kajuru Local Government Area, on Sunday, targeting three churches during worship services.
The Kaduna State Police Command and the leadership of Kajuru Local Government Area have rejected the allegations. The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Rabiu, alongside the council chairman, Dauda Madaki, dismissed the reports as ”falsehoods” being spread by ”conflict entrepreneurs”.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Government House in Kaduna, Rabiu and Madaki challenged those making the claims to provide the names and details of the alleged victims.
Madaki said he personally visited Kurmin Wali with security personnel and found no physical evidence of an attack. He added that church buildings showed no signs of damage and that traditional rulers and youth leaders in the area denied that any abduction occurred.
CSW-N, however, insisted the incident took place. In a statement issued on Tuesday signed by its Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, the organisation accused soldiers of preventing its team from gaining access to the community to verify the situation independently.
CSW-N reported that its team was prevented by soldiers from accessing Kurmin Wali during a fact-finding visit, despite presenting proper identification.
After travelling for about an hour, the team reached Makyali village and took the unmarked road toward the community.
“Thirty minutes later, as the team neared Kurmin Wali, CSW-N encountered a military convoy, including the chairman of Kajuru Local Government, leaving the community,” the statement said.
“They later refused to allow CSW- N team entry, despite repeated pleas and after the team showed full identification.
The military officer who stopped the CSW-N said there was a standing order not to allow us in. As a result, the team turned and was escorted to the main road, back to Kaduna.”
The group noted that community sources said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups and simultaneously targeted the three churches.According to CSW-N, worshippers were forced into the bush, and while elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 persons reportedly escaped.
According to the organisation, 167 persons remained in captivity at the time of its engagement with community sources, adding that efforts were ongoing to compile the names of those abducted.
Describing the alleged mass abduction as deeply troubling, CSW-N accused both the Kaduna State and Federal Governments of failing to adequately protect rural communities from repeated attacks.
