Multiple security and government sources have revealed that the Kaduna State Government’s initial denial of the reported abduction of Christian worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area was driven by concerns over attracting United States scrutiny and protecting the state’s fragile peace narrative.
Recall that bandits stormed several churches in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru on Sunday, abducting over 100 worshippers during church services.
Subsequently, the Chairman of the 19 Northern States chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, confirmed that 172 worshippers were abducted, with some later returning, leaving 163 persons still in captivity.
Govt dismissed CAN’s claims
Shortly after CAN’s confirmation, the Kaduna State Government debunked the abduction reports, insisting that no worshippers were kidnapped.
The denial was issued after a security meeting through the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, and the Chairman of Kajuru LGA, Dauda Madaki.
Rabiu described the reports as “falsehood,” claiming they were being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs seeking to destabilise the state.
However, multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters said the denial was a deliberate attempt to downplay publicity around the incident.
“One of the overriding considerations was to avoid drawing attention from Washington, given ...ure of the U.S. administration on Nigeria’s internal conflicts,” a source familiar with the discussions said. “There was a clear effort to manage the optics.”
Another source linked the denial to political calculations surrounding Governor Uba Sani’s re-election prospects and the state’s now-collapsed peace arrangement with armed groups.
“The kidnapping cut directly against the government’s peace model,” the source said. “Admitting it would have been embarrassing, so the instinct was to deny.”
Sources further alleged that the state government had been engaging in subtle media control to limit reports of insecurity.
“There has been pressure to preserve the sanctity of the peace model,” a source said. “As a result, violent crimes perpetrated by bandits and Islamic terrorists have been underreported by media on the ground.”
Police headquarters intervenes
Senior officers at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja were reportedly displeased with how the incident was handled by the Kaduna State Police Command.
A senior police officer told SaharaReporters that the denial did not emanate from a collective decision of the State Security Council.
“From our findings, it was not the collective decision of the State Security Council,” the officer said. “It was the decision of the Governor and his team to direct the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Internal Security, and the local government chairman to debunk the confirmation by CAN, for strategic reasons best known to the Governor.”
The officer said the sequence of events raised red flags.
“We also noted curiously that the Governor, after the same security meeting, posted general security updates on his social media handles but failed to mention or deny the specific kidnapping,” he said. “That clearly indicated something was amiss.”
According to the police source, interviews confirming the abduction by Rev. Hayab had already aired before the state’s denial.
“Yet suddenly, after the State Security Council meeting, officials were directed to claim that not a single person was kidnapped,” the officer said.
He added that the police headquarters insisted the Commissioner of Police visit the affected area, leading to the Force HQ later issuing a statement confirming the abduction.
“We know there were infractions,” the officer said. “That is why we stepped in.”
Quiet efforts to free victims
Despite the public denial, sources said the Kaduna State Government has been quietly working behind the scenes to secure the release of the abducted worshippers.
“There have been several shuttles behind the scenes on how to recover the worshippers,” a source said.
According to another source, Governor Sani has been in Abuja consulting with the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other security chiefs.
“The consultations are focused on who can be instrumental in securing their release,” the source added.