THIS DAWN — The Nigeria Police Force has formally acknowledged widespread concern following reports of a mass abduction in Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Force emphasized that the safety of every citizen remains its highest priority, noting the fear and anxiety such incidents generate among families, residents, and the wider public.
Upon receiving initial reports, the Kaduna State Security Council was convened by the Governor at the Government House.
During the meeting, some individuals from the affected area disputed the incident, describing it as false.
This contradiction created uncertainty and reinforced the need for caution and thorough verification by security agencies before making conclusive public statements on such a sensitive matter.
Clarification of Police Remarks
The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, had earlier made comments during a media interaction that were widely interpreted as a denial of the incident.
The Force clarified that these remarks were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed.
They were not a dismissal of the incident but a measured response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of those affected.
Confirmation and Security Response
Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has now confirmed that the abduction did occur.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force activated coordinated security operations, working closely with other agencies to locate and safely rescue the victims while restoring calm to the area.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and surrounding communities.
These efforts include:
- Deployment of tactical units.
- Intensified patrols already in place.
- Targeted search-and-rescue operations.
- Proactive measures to protect lives and property.
The Force appealed to members of the public and the media for patience and cooperation, urging reliance on official police communications for verified information.
Speculation or sensational reporting, it warned, could jeopardize ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, reiterated that the Police remain fully committed to the safety of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.
Amnesty International Reacts
While the Police confirmed the incident, Amnesty International Nigeria issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attack and criticizing the government’s handling of security in northern Nigeria.
According to Amnesty, 166 people were abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali village during worship on Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Those abducted reportedly include minors and pregnant women.
Residents and families told Amnesty that gunmen invaded the village and moved from one church to another, dragging worshippers away in groups.
Condemnation of Government Response
Amnesty International described the incident as another demonstration of the Nigerian authorities’ failure to end the endemic impunity of killings and abductions.
The organization condemned what it called the “desperate denial” of the incident by the police and Kaduna State government, arguing that such responses erode public trust and embolden perpetrators.
The statement further criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the latest mass abduction clearly shows the government has no effective plan to end years of atrocities by armed groups.
Amnesty argued that whatever security measures are currently being implemented are “clearly not working,” as abductions and killings continue to escalate across rural communities.
Call for Immediate Action
Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to:
- Ensure the safe and secure rescue of all abducted individuals and reunite them with their families.
- Take concrete measures to prevent rampant abductions that are gradually becoming normalized.
- End the culture of impunity by holding perpetrators accountable.
The organization emphasized that the persistence of such attacks demonstrates that gunmen still operate with free rein in rural areas of northern Nigeria, leaving communities vulnerable and fearful.
The abduction at Kurmin Wali community has drawn both official acknowledgment from the Nigeria Police Force and sharp criticism from Amnesty International Nigeria.
While the Police stress that coordinated operations are underway to rescue victims and restore calm, Amnesty insists the incident reflects a deeper failure of governance and security strategy.
As operations continue, the incident underscores the urgent need for effective and transparent measures to protect citizens, rebuild public trust, and prevent abductions from becoming an entrenched feature of life in northern Nigeria.
