No One Was Kidnapped In Churches, Kaduna Govt Slams CAN
The Kaduna State government has countered claims by the Northern Nigerian chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that worshippers were kidnapped during Sunday services in three churches in the Kajuru local government area. The Chairman of 19 Northern States chapter of CAN, Rev. John Hayab, had earlier confirmed the abduction of 172 worshippers of which some returned leaving 163 worshippers in captivity. He had said, “Information came to me from the elders of the churches that 172 worshippers were abducted while nine escaped.” But the state government in a briefing shortly after a security meeting debunked the claims through the duo of the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu and the Chairman of Kajuru local government, Dauda Madaki. The CP, Rabiu said the reported kidnap of over 100 worshippers at Kajuru, is mere falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos in Kaduna State. He added that it is rumor mongers’ plans to derail the prevailing peace in the state, threatening that full wrath of the law would be visited on such merchants of falsehood Further developments suggest a clampdown on information from the area. A source within the affected community confirmed that the state government, through the office of the Kajuru Local Government Chairman Dauda Madaki, had warned villagers against granting media interviews regarding the incident. The instruction conveyed was that the publicity would “tarnish the image of the government and bring unnecessary attention.” It was learnt that the restriction appears to be actively enforced. Journalists attempting to enter the village were reportedly stopped by security forces, who cited ongoing “clearance operations” in the area as the reason for denying access.
