From Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna
Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, has described the reported kidnap of over 100 worshippers at Kajuru, as mere falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos in Kaduna State.
Addressing reporters after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, the police Commissioner challenged anyone to list the names of the kidnapped victims and other particulars.
Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu warned rumour mongers to desist from trying to derail the prevailing peace in Kaduna State, threatening that full wrath of the law will be visited on such merchants of falsehood.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Kajuru local government, Dauda Madaki, said that when he heard rumour of the attack, he mobilised the police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found out that there was no attack.
“We visited the church where the so called kidnap took place. There was no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack.
‘’I also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona who was interviewed by the press men that accompanied me, and he said that no such thing happened.
‘’So, I challenge anyone to name the people that were kidnapped and I have been waiting for this list and no one has come forward with a name.
‘’I believe that the rumour of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration,’’ he added.
He advised the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, adding that they should report any suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agents.
In his response, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home, Sule Shauibu (SAN) said that the CAN chairman and other religious leaders have interacted with the people of the area where the so-called kidnap occurred.
‘’They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false,’’ he said, assuring that ‘’Kaduna State Government has zero tolerance for criminality.’’
It would be recalled that there were stories that bandits raided churches in Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting over 170 worshippers.
According to witnesses, the attackers struck during church services on Sunday.
ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim churches were affected by the attack.
Sources said nine vulnerable persons among the victims later returned home.
Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the Northern CAN Chairman, confirmed the attack to journalists describing the incident as sad.
He said, “I don’t like talking about the figures but what I got from the area is 172 were said to have been abducted and nine managed to escape, with the remaining 163 people still with the abductors,” he said.
“It’s a very tough and sad thing but we will not give up. The security agencies and the government are making effort towards restoration of peace in Kaduna and we are happy with it.
“Whatever is the reason, we are not going to give up. We want to work with the security agencies and the government to ensure that these people return safely. We know the efforts that have been put in place by security and the government to ensure that there’s restoration of peace, so we cannot be accusing people.
“If they ( bandits) are doing it to provoke anger, they will be surprised. We’ll get our people back just as others have been coming back these days. These people will come back,” he said.
In a similar attack, bandits have abducted four persons from the residence of a retired senior officer in Kujama, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Our correspondent gathered from a source within the community that the incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 18, when the attackers invaded the home of Mr. Elisha Markus, 60, a retired superintendent who previously served as a divisional head in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
He gave the names of the victims as Alice Jeshua, 26; David Jeshua, 6; Josephine Luka, 15; and Samaria Mika, 29, all from the same address.
He said that following the report, security operatives and other relevant agencies were mobilised to the area, with surrounding bushes cordoned off to prevent the escape of the abductors.
As at the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Government and the Police have not issued any official statements on the incident but a senior police officer who pleaded anonymity confirmed that there were incidences in the areas.
He however said the police is gathering information from the area.
