The Kaduna State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging the kidnapping of more than 100 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, made this known on Monday while addressing journalists after a meeting of the State Security Council.
Rabiu said the report was being circulated by individuals he described as conflict entrepreneurs bent on creating fear, destabilising the state, and undermining the prevailing peace.
He challenged those behind the allegations to provide verifiable details of the supposed victims, including their names and communities.
“Let anyone who claims that such a kidnapping took place come forward with the names and particulars of the alleged victims,” the police commissioner said.
Rabiu warned that the police would not hesitate to take legal action against individuals found to be spreading false information capable of causing panic among residents.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki, said security agencies visited Kurmin Wali village where the alleged incident was said to have occurred and found no evidence of any attack.
According to Madaki, officials inspected the church mentioned in the reports and confirmed that no kidnapping or violent incident took place.
He added that the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, as well as the youth leader of the community, Bernard Bona, both confirmed that no worshippers were abducted.
Madaki noted that despite the widespread claims, no family or individual has come forward to report a missing person.
He urged residents to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and report suspicious movements or rumour peddlers to security agencies.
The police said they would continue to monitor the situation and maintain security across the state.
