Northern CAN Demands Rescue of Abducted Kaduna Worshippers
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has vehemently criticized initial attempts by security agencies to downplay the mass abduction of worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, demanding immediate action to rescue the victims.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, expressed frustration over the conflicting reports that initially clouded the incident.
While local police authorities had earlier claimed there was no evidence of an attack, Hayab confirmed that security officials have since privately acknowledged the abductions to Christian leaders.
“Over an hour ago, we were all on the same page. This unfortunate incident happened. Innocent Nigerians were taken away from their church. There is no longer debate about it,” Hayab stated. “If they have not acknowledged it publicly, they have acknowledged it to us as Christian leaders. They have given us a promise that they will go after them.”
The incident occurred on Sunday when gunmen stormed churches in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru, reportedly including Bishara, Haske, and a nearby ECWA church.
According to Hayab, the attackers “shut the entire church, lined the worshippers up and marched them into the bush.”
Initial confusion over the number of victims arose due to the chaos, with some residents fleeing and others returning later. While figures as high as 163 were circulated in some reports, Hayab emphasized that the exact number is less important than the reality of the crime.
“A lot of people were kidnapped, that is the truth… What we told the government is: let us not debate too much about numbers. Let us focus on the fact that people were taken in good numbers,” he explained.
Hayab described the initial denial by security operatives as “unfortunate,” noting that it added insult to injury for the families of the victims. He sympathized with Governor Uba Sani, whom he said might have been fed incorrect information.
“The moment the incident happened, security agencies were informed. That is why we were worried and angry, how could they later come out to deny it?” Hayab queried. “This became a test of integrity and honesty. Imagine the families of those kidnapped hearing someone say it never happened.”
Describing the perpetrators as terrorists bent on creating confusion, the Northern CAN leader called for a unified front against insecurity, warning that selective safety is no safety at all.
“We don’t want Christian communities safe while others are not. If my neighbour is not safe, I am not safe,” he said.
Following the confirmation of the incident by national intelligence sources, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reportedly directed the full deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to Kajuru to facilitate search-and-rescue operations.
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