After initial denials, the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, acknowledged the attack and abduction of Christian worshippers in Kurmi Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This is as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.
The police said that these efforts include deployment of tactical units as well as intensified patrols already in place, targeted search-and-rescue operations, and proactive measures to protect lives and property.
These were contained in a statement by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), in which he stated that the Force understood the fear and anxiety such reports caused to families, residents, and the public.
CSP Hundeyin said that the Nigeria police treats the safety of every citizen as a matter of utmost priority, saying that upon receiving the report, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by Governor Uba Sani.
The spokesperson of the police further said that during the meeting at the Government House, Kaduna, some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report, which had earlier been confirmed by the Police, and described it as false.
He further said; “This created uncertainty and reinforced the need for caution and thorough verification by the Police and other security agencies before making conclusive public statements on such a sensitive matter.
“In this context, comments made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, during a media interaction were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed.
“Those remarks, which have since been widely misinterpreted, were not a denial of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur. The Nigeria Police Force therefore activated coordinated security operations, working closely with other security agencies, with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area,” it said.
The Nigeria Police therefore appealed to members of the public and the media for patience and cooperation and also encouraged the public to rely on official communications for verified information and to avoid speculation or sensational reporting that could jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.
Hundeyin assured that the Nigeria police remain fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.
