Kaduna Police Commissioner Visits Attacked Church, Orders Phones Switched Off as Escaped Victim Describes Abduction

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Muhammad Rabiu, has visited one of the churches attacked by armed terrorists in Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area, following the abduction of worshippers during Sunday services.

Sources at the scene told SK Blog that the commissioner arrived with heavily armed security operatives and instructed everyone present to switch off their mobile phones. He also warned against taking photographs or recording videos during the visit. The commissioner inspected the affected church building and surrounding areas hit by the attack, which has left communities in southern Kaduna in fear.

The visit comes despite an earlier denial by the police that any worshippers were abducted. Footage obtained from the scene shows the commissioner surrounded by armed officers as he inspected the church and spoke with victims.

One of the victims, who had visible head injuries, told the commissioner how he escaped while the abducted worshippers were being taken into the forest. Speaking in Hausa, he explained that the attack happened suddenly during worship.

“When they started chasing people, I was carrying my daughter. When we reached a place where houses were close together and the road was narrow, I entered a house and locked it. They did not notice me,” he said.

He clarified that he was worshipping at a nearby ECWA church when the attack began. According to him, shouting was heard from outside, and when he stepped out, armed men were already stationed in front of the church.

“I tried to run with my daughter, but one of them threatened to kill me, so I stopped,” he said. He added that the attackers forced worshippers to follow them and that captives from different churches were later gathered together.

The victim said the abductors marched the captives into the bush, stopping in abandoned communities along the way. “They beat us without asking any questions. After they finished beating us, they told us to stand up and continue walking,” he said.

He further disclosed that the group included people kidnapped earlier from other locations, not only church worshippers. He said he eventually escaped again by entering a house in another community before fleeing through the bush and returning to Kurmin Wali.

Those present said the victim appeared weak and deeply traumatized, with injuries believed to have been sustained during the attack or while escaping.

Residents of Kurmin Wali expressed anger over the police commissioner’s order to switch off phones, describing it as an attempt to prevent documentation of the scene and the condition of the victims. Community members also voiced frustration over what they described as repeated failures of security agencies to protect rural communities in southern Kaduna.

Many families remain in distress as several worshippers are still missing, with no official information on rescue efforts or negotiations.

Meanwhile, activists who visited the affected churches confirmed that worshippers were abducted and that at least 11 people managed to escape. They also met with a village head who confirmed that the attack and abduction took place.

The village head said some of the escapees were severely beaten before managing to flee. “They injured them badly. We can only confirm those who escaped and returned,” he said. One of the victims reportedly showed activists scars and bruises on his back, indicating the level of violence inflicted on him.

The activists said their findings contradicted government claims circulating online that no abduction occurred.

Earlier reports indicated that armed groups attacked multiple churches in Kurmin Wali during Sunday services, abducting worshippers. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States, Rev. John Hayab, said 172 worshippers were taken, with some later returning, leaving 163 still in captivity. The Kaduna State government later disputed the figures, stating that no worshippers were kidnapped during church services in Kajuru Local Government Area.