Kaduna Police Commissioner Visits Abducted Worshippers’ Church, Orders Phones Switched Off During Inspection

EXCLUSIVE: The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Muhammad Rabiu, has visited one of the churches attacked by armed terrorists in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, following reports of mass abduction of worshippers during Sunday services.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that the commissioner arrived with heavily armed security personnel and ordered everyone present to switch off their mobile phones, warning against taking photographs or recording videos during the visit.

Sources said the police commissioner also inspected surrounding communities affected by the attack. The visit came days after attacks in Southern Kaduna, despite the commissioner earlier denying that any worshippers were abducted.

SaharaReporters obtained a video showing the commissioner inspecting the church premises and speaking with victims. One escaped victim, seen with visible head injuries, narrated how he fled with his child while the abductors were transporting worshippers into the forest.

Speaking in Hausa, the victim explained that the attackers stormed multiple churches during worship, threatened congregants with guns, and forced many to march into the bush. He said he escaped by entering and locking himself inside a house during the movement.

The victim added that the abductors had already kidnapped people from other communities before the church attack and that victims were beaten repeatedly without interrogation.

Residents of Kurmin Wali expressed anger over repeated security failures and questioned the decision to ban recordings during the commissioner’s visit, describing it as an attempt to prevent documentation of victims’ conditions.

Meanwhile, activists and a village head who visited the affected churches confirmed that abductions did take place, with several worshippers escaping after being severely beaten. They said physical injuries observed on victims contradicted official claims that no kidnapping occurred.

Previously, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 172 worshippers were abducted, with 163 still in captivity. The Kaduna State Government has, however, denied that any abduction occurred during the church attacks.

Families of the missing worshippers remain in distress as there has been no official confirmation of rescue efforts or negotiations.