Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N) has insisted that over 100 worshippers were abducted by suspected bandits in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna, despite denials by the police and local authorities.
On Sunday, assailants in large numbers attacked three
churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA of the state, abducting more than
100 worshippers during Sunday services.
However, Mohammed Rabiu, Kaduna state commissioner of
police, and Dauda Madaki, chairman of Kajuru LGA, dismissed the reports as “falsehoods” being
spread by “conflict entrepreneurs”.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the government
house in Kaduna, Rabiu and Madaki challenged those making the allegations to
provide names and details of the alleged victims.
Madaki said he personally led security operatives to Kurmin
Wali after hearing rumours of the attack but found no evidence of any incident.
According to him, the churches where the abductions were
said to have taken place showed no signs of violence, while traditional and
youth leaders in the area also denied that any attack occurred.
But in a statement issued on Tuesday, Reuben Buhari, CSW-N
research and press officer, said the abductions did take place and accused
security operatives of obstructing efforts to independently verify the
incident.
CSW-N alleged that its team was prevented by soldiers from
accessing Kurmin Wali during a fact-finding visit, despite presenting proper
identification.
After about an hour, the team reached Makyali village and
took the unmarked road to the community.
“Thirty minutes later, as the team was about to enter Kurmin
Wali, CSW-N encountered a military convoy, including the chairman of Kajuru
Local Government, which was leaving the community,” the statement reads.
“They later refused to allow CSW- N team entry, despite
repeated pleas and after the team showed full identification.
“The military officer who stopped the CSW-N said there was a
standing order not to allow us in. Consequently, our team turned and was
escorted to the main road, back to Kaduna.”
The group noted that community sources said the attackers
arrived on motorcycles and on foot, split into three groups and simultaneously
targeted the three churches.
According to CSW-N, worshippers were forced into the bush,
elderly women and young children were later released, while 11 persons
reportedly escaped.
According to the organisation, 167 persons remained in
captivity at the time of its engagement with community sources, adding that
efforts were ongoing to compile the names of those abducted.
CSW-N described the alleged mass abduction as deeply
troubling and accused the state and federal governments of failing to protect
rural communities.
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