Obi, Atiku, CAN Demand Accountability Over Kaduna Abductions

ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMMUNICATION FAILURES UNDER SCRUTINY

Conflicting Accounts After Mass Abduction

THE abduction of more than 160 worshippers from churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has triggered widespread condemnation over how security authorities initially handled information surrounding the incident.

Bandits reportedly stormed multiple churches during Sunday services, abducting congregants in coordinated attacks. Despite eyewitness testimonies, the Kaduna State Police Command and the local government chairman initially denied that any kidnapping occurred.

Public Trust Undermined

Peter Obi described the initial denials as a failure of leadership and communication, noting that public confidence erodes when authorities dismiss credible reports.

“Leadership is about acting when lives are at risk,” Obi said, urging urgent action to rescue the victims and confront Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Political Opposition Raises Alarm

The PDP accused authorities of engaging in a cover-up, saying the denial was not only false but also insensitive to affected families. The party said residents had immediately reported the incident to security agencies, but no action followed.

According to the PDP, the silence that followed the eventual confirmation compounded public anger and demanded accountability.

CAN Calls for Responsible Messaging

CAN said that while preventing panic is important, dismissing reports of mass abductions without verification is dangerous. Archbishop Daniel Okoh emphasised that security communications must balance caution with empathy.

The association warned that careless statements by senior officials could destabilise communities and weaken trust in institutions.

Atiku Questions Peace Deals

Atiku Abubakar criticised state-level peace deals with bandits, arguing that they embolden criminals rather than deter them. He urged the Federal Government to hold itself accountable to campaign promises on security.

Security Agencies Respond

The Nigeria Police Force eventually confirmed the incident and deployed tactical units to the area. Investigations and rescue efforts are ongoing.