The Defence Headquarters has assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the release of residents abducted from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State, following recent attacks on places of worship.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking through a statement credited to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the military has acknowledged concerns raised by affected communities and reiterated that rescuing all kidnapped persons remains a top priority.
He explained that troops are working closely with other security agencies to ensure the victims are safely recovered.
According to the defence spokesman, intelligence-led operations are ongoing in Kurmin Wali and nearby forest areas suspected to be hideouts for the abductors.
He said these operations involve ground patrols, aerial surveillance, intelligence collection, and carefully planned actions designed to rescue the captives without endangering their lives.
Onoja added that the caution observed during some military operations is intentional, noting that restraint is necessary to prevent accidental harm to those being held.
He said security forces are also focused on dismantling the criminal networks behind the abductions and preventing further attacks in the area.
Gunmen had reportedly stormed three churches in Kurmin Wali on Sunday and abducted about 167 worshippers. The following day, the Kaduna State Police Command described the reports as false, blaming “conflict entrepreneurs” allegedly trying to “disrupt the state’s relative peace”.
However, on Tuesday, the Nigerian Police Force confirmed that the abduction did take place. The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that earlier comments by the Kaduna Commissioner of Police were meant to prevent panic while investigations and verification were ongoing, and not to deny that the incident occurred.
The conflicting accounts have since attracted criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria and opposition political parties, who have raised concerns over communication gaps and the safety of worshippers in the state.
