By Abiola Olawale
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a scathing rebuke of the Nigeria Police Force following their initial denial of the mass abduction of over 160 worshippers in Kaduna State.
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the religious body described the security agencies’ communication as a “total failure” of integrity and demanded the immediate, unconditional rescue of the victims still held in forest hideouts.
The crisis began on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when heavily armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on three churches in the Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area.
The statement signed by Archbishop Okoh in his capacity as CAN President, the association said it reviewed the police statement on the incident and expressed concern over how the matter was communicated to the public before thorough verification.
CAN acknowledged the challenges of confirming security incidents, especially in remote communities, but stressed that such difficulties do not excuse lapses in sensitivity where human lives are involved.
“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.
“While the need to prevent panic is understandable, caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference,” the association said.
Archbishop Okoh noted that the subsequent confirmation of the incident by the police was a necessary development and commended the Inspector-General of Police for directing the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to the affected area.
However, CAN said such steps must be complemented by a more disciplined, people-centred, and empathetic approach to crisis communication.
“Statements made by senior security officials carry significant weight and should therefore be guided by due diligence, empathy, and a clear understanding of their impact on public trust and social stability.
“Victims must be protected, genuine distress calls respected, and misinformation, whether dismissive or sensational, avoided.
“We make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted.
“We pray that they are returned safely and unharmed, and we urge security agencies to intensify all efforts: operational, intelligence, and diplomatic, towards securing their swift rescue,” the statement added.
