Police confirm abductions in Kurmin Wali village after initial denials

The Nigeria Police Force has acknowledged that an abduction took place in Kurmin Wali, a secluded village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, reversing their previous stance of uncertainty regarding the incident.

This confirmation came after what the police termed thorough verification and intelligence evaluations, as conveyed in a statement released on Tuesday by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, amidst rising public anxiety about safety in the region.

The police noted that preliminary reports of the abduction had caused considerable alarm among residents and families of those affected, prompting the Force to take the situation seriously.

“The Nigeria Police Force recognizes the significant concern triggered by reports of an abduction in Kurmin Wali,” the statement said, emphasizing that citizen safety remains a top priority.

The police detailed that the Kaduna State Security Council was promptly convened by the state governor upon receiving the report. During the meeting, some representatives from the affected local government reportedly challenged the abduction claims as false, despite earlier indications from the police.

This discrepancy, the police explained, led to uncertainty and required careful and comprehensive verification by security agencies before any definite public statements could be made.

The statement clarified that comments from the Commissioner of Police during a media briefing were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while information was being verified. “These remarks should not be interpreted as a denial of the incident but rather a cautious response until further details, including the identities and numbers of those affected, could be confirmed.”

The police acknowledged that the commissioner’s statements were misinterpreted, leading to controversy and accusations of denial.

However, following further investigations, the Force stated that additional verification by operational units and reliable intelligence confirmed that the abduction indeed occurred in Kurmin Wali.

In light of this confirmation, the Nigeria Police Force announced the initiation of coordinated security operations with other agencies aimed at locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring peace in the area.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of key operational and intelligence resources to Kajuru Local Government Area and nearby communities. This includes tactical units, increased patrols, targeted search-and-rescue missions, and other proactive security actions to ensure public safety.

The Force urged the public and media to remain patient and rely on official police updates for verified information, warning against speculation or sensationalism that could disrupt ongoing operations.

Reaffirming their commitment, the police promised to provide updates as the situation develops in the Kajuru region of Kaduna State.