The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed the mass abduction that occurred on Sunday in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This confirmation by Force spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin, following initial widespread denials by state government and police officials, has shed light on an incident that sparked significant public concern and controversy.

Initially, reports of the abduction of many persons, particularly church members, at Kurmin Wali village were met with skepticism and outright denial. On Monday, the Kaduna State Government and the police command had dismissed such claims, stating that security assessments did not support a large-scale kidnapping.

They challenged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and residents to provide evidence. The state's Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shauibu, and Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, both publicly stated that reports were false and challenged anyone to provide names of victims.

However, the denials came amidst strong claims from the CAN and villagers. Rev. Joseph John Hayab, chairman of CAN in the 19 northern states, reported that two churches were affected and estimated about 172 people were abducted, with 163 still in custody after nine escaped. Residents who escaped and families of captives also provided harrowing testimonies.

Jonathan Na Allah told Daily Trust his wife and five children were abducted, while another, Joseph’s father, confirmed his wife and child were held. The village head, Ishaku Dan’azumi Sidi, stated that at least 166 people were in the custody of the bandits.

Hours after newsmen visited the community and interviewed victims' families, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the abduction, citing verification and intelligence assessments.

Force spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin acknowledged the public concern and clarified that earlier remarks by the Kaduna CP were "preliminary responses pending confirmation of critical details" and "not a denial of the incident." Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets, including tactical units, intensified patrols, and air surveillance, to Kajuru and surrounding communities for tracking perpetrators and rescuing victims.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani visited Kurmin Wali village, meeting with community leaders and residents, assuring them of the government’s commitment to securing the release of the abducted. He attributed the ease of abduction to the community’s proximity to Rijana forest. Governor Sani stressed his administration’s priority on protecting lives and property, noting ongoing collaboration with the military, DSS, police, and NSA’s office.

He cautioned against politicizing security challenges, emphasizing that his government protects all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity. He also promised the community future infrastructure development, including a road, a hospital, and the deployment of soldiers.

The incident and the initial conflicting statements highlighted "serious communication gaps" within the security architecture, according to security expert Detective Auwal Bala Durumin Iya. He warned that unverified information could lead to embarrassment and public mistrust, drawing parallels to the initial denials surrounding the 2014 Chibok girls' abduction. Iya advised security agencies to exercise caution and for senior officers to refrain from categorical statements until facts are established, urging transparency and apologies for misinformation to rebuild public confidence.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly criticized the federal government’s handling, alleging that the initial denials showed a "dangerous pattern recurrent in the course of this administration’s normalisation of insecurity." The PDP called for apologies from the Kaduna police command and Kajuru LGA chairman, condemning what it called a "public betrayal and failed cover-up." The party urged the federal government to deploy a high-powered security team for the swift rescue of the abducted Nigerians.

A list of 177 individuals believed to be among the abducted worshippers has also emerged, including Samson Naallah, Ezekiel Naallah, Christopher Naallah, Martin Samson, Moses Samson, Clever Godwin, Jerusalem Chindo, Markus Markus, Benjamin Markus, Markus Albert, Ofelana Markus, Linus Markus, Hassana Linus, Ojo Bamboya, Esther Ojo, Mary Jonathan, George Jonathan, Careful Jonathan, EF James, Morin Boniface, Junior James, Happiness Jonathan, Honest Jonathan, Honesty Jonathan, Faith Luka, Beauty Luka, Junior Luka, Rosemary Luka, Dorothy Luka, Selina Luka, Alice Bamboya, Magdalena Godwin, Hassan Ishaya, Lazarus Ishaya, Marta Ishaya, Zummunta Ishaya, Salvation Ishaya, Susana Linus, Jummal Linus, Peace Joshua, Zahaya Joshua, Nabilah Makudi, Hajara Makudi, Rebecca Hosea, Ahmad Ahmad, Liyu Ezekiel, Vivian Ezekiel, Goodluck Ezekiel, Beauty Ezekiel, Matina Maiyashi, Bridget Maiyashi, Vivian Linus, Mary Amos, Hamid Amos, Patricia Amos, Hamisu Amos, Luka Amos, Tacy Amos, Cynthia Amos, Mercy Isaac, Augustine Makudi, Matthew Samaila, Adam Musa, Malika Sule, Abu Ahmad, Hussein Lucky, Akinyi Sadiu, Dangata Amos, Helen Jonathan, Asinwa Jonathan, Faith Joseph, Gloria Kennet, Happiness Danisa, Fidelis Jacob, Tobias Markus, Istu Paul, Hassana Paul, Charity Chindo, Christiana Danisa, Everest Danima, Thomas Philip, Catrina Danbosi, Halima Hassan, Hassan Lukumi, Mary Sadiu, Franca John, Henry Danbiyi, Ayuba Lawal, Solomon Ayuba, Theophilus Danlami, Charles Sambo, Rahila Charles, Gambo Danisa, Talent Danisa, Nehemiah Danjuma, Maijima Shekarau, Matina Maijima, Laraba Maijima, Musa Danjuma, Ishaya Danima, Lulu Danisa, Clement Ahmad, Destiny Ahmad, Nehemiah Ishaya, Simon Ishaya, Nasty Muku, Helena Joseph, Joseph Bawa, Sarah Joseph, Bulus Mariya, Musa Samaila, Bulus Bawa, Halima Bawa, Beture Hosea, Sati Hosea, Titus John, Dogara Bawa, Lories Bawa, Adamu Aminu, Ezekiel Adamu, Tenah Markus, Tina Danbosi, Patricio Bawa, Janet Tsuda, Amina Danjuma, Sandra Danbosi, Bridget Sunday, Saphat Innocent, Alex Sunday, Beauty Peter, Samisa Paul, Joy Joseph, Methole Johanna, Genesis Johanna, Maria Johanna, Merozdu Adonu, Karimi Jangbe, Sunday Martela, Santina Hershinga, Keuna Michael, Hassan Bulus, Marzeta Maisoni, Mainwa Dominic, Godwin Karimi, Amos Akijo, Nathan Amos, Joseph Chindo, Lydia Godwin, Hamna Maiyangi, Toletu Maiyangi, Esther Godday, Godswill Godday, Godlive Samson, Goodluck Aliga, Madaki Tabawa, Tabawa Abba, Tabawa Iyamye, Samuel Amos, Daniel Amos, Deborah Amos, Ruth Amos, Emmanuel Danjuma, Joshua Danjuma, Rejoice Danisa, Blessing Danisa, Ibrahim Lawal, Zainab Lawal, Sadiq Ahmad, Aisha Ahmad, Yakubu Musa, Suleiman Musa, Rahama Musa, Daniel Jonathan, Samuel Jonathan, Peter Jonathan, Grace Jonathan.