The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that an abduction incident occurred at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following days of public anxiety, conflicting accounts and widespread concern over security in the area.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police acknowledged the fear generated by initial reports of the incident, noting that the safety of citizens remains a top priority for the Force.
According to the statement, upon receiving information about the alleged abduction, the Kaduna State Security Council was immediately convened by the Governor at the Government House in Kaduna. During the meeting, some individuals from the affected local government area disputed the report, earlier confirmed by the Police-describing it as false.
This development created uncertainty and underscored the need for careful verification by security agencies before issuing definitive public statements on such a sensitive matter.
The Police explained that comments earlier made by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, during a media interaction were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being thoroughly confirmed.
The Force clarified that the remarks, which were widely misinterpreted by the public, did not amount to a denial of the incident but were a cautious response pending confirmation of details from the field, including the identities and number of victims involved.
Following further verification from operational units and intelligence sources, the Nigeria Police Force has now confirmed that the abduction did indeed take place.
Consequently, coordinated security operations have been activated in collaboration with other security agencies, with a clear mandate to locate and safely rescue the victims while restoring calm to the affected community.
The Police have appealed to members of the public and the media to exercise patience and cooperate with security agencies, urging reliance on official police communications for verified information.
The Force also warned against speculation and sensational reporting, noting that such actions could jeopardise ongoing operations and heighten public anxiety.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Nigeria Police Force assured Nigerians that it will continue to provide timely updates as the situation develops, while sustaining efforts to ensure the safe return of the victims and lasting peace in the area.