The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies over what it described as insensitive and inadequate public communication following the abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by its president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said the early handling of information relating to the incident was poorly managed, leading to public confusion, heightened anxiety and a breakdown of trust, particularly among the families of the victims and residents of the affected communities.
The Christian body’s criticism came after the Nigeria Police Force eventually confirmed that worshippers were abducted during coordinated attacks on churches in the area, contradicting earlier denials by the Kaduna State Government and security agencies.
Reports of the abduction first emerged on Sunday, with claims that more than 160 worshippers were taken from at least three churches during the attack.
However, the reports were initially dismissed by authorities, who maintained that no such incident had occurred.
Days later, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the abduction did take place, explaining that intelligence and operational findings had verified the incident. He said the earlier denial by the Kaduna State Police Command was intended to prevent panic while investigations were ongoing.
Reacting to the confirmation, CAN acknowledged that verifying security incidents, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach communities, can be challenging. However, the association stressed that such difficulties do not justify dismissing credible reports before proper verification.
“The initial public dismissal of reports about this incident, before thorough verification, was deeply troubling. It generated confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of nearly 170 worshippers, their families, clergy and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm,” CAN said.
The association warned that communication by senior security officials carries significant weight and must be delivered with care, empathy, and accuracy, particularly in situations involving threats to human life.
While commending the Inspector-General of Police for deploying operational and intelligence resources to the affected area after the confirmation, CAN said such actions must be matched with a more people-centred and disciplined approach to crisis communication.
It urged security agencies to strengthen coordination, improve verification processes and treat community reports with the seriousness they deserve, noting that dismissive or poorly framed statements can further traumatise victims and erode public confidence.
“Victims must be protected, genuine distress calls respected, and misinformation, whether dismissive or sensational, avoided,” the association stated.
CAN also called on governments at all levels to address the persistent insecurity across the country with renewed urgency, warning that repeated attacks on worship centres threaten lives, disrupt religious activities and weaken social stability.
The Christian body appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted worshippers and urged security agencies to intensify all efforts, operational, intelligence, and diplomatic, to secure their safe return.
According to CAN, the protection of innocent citizens must remain the highest priority of the state, stressing that effective communication is as critical as security operations in moments of national crisis.
