The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) says troops and intelligence assets have been deployed to ensure the release of abducted worshipers from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Director of Defense Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said the military has taken note of the concerns raised by residents and assured that the rescue of all abducted persons is top priority.
He said security forces, in collaboration with other agencies, are conducting sustained, intelligence-led operations in Kurmin Wali and surrounding forest areas, which serve as hideouts for kidnappers.
According to him, the operation involved coordinated ground patrols, aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and “carefully calibrated actions” designed to ensure the safe recovery of the victims without exposing them to further danger.
“The caution taken in some operations is deliberate,” Onoja said. He said the purpose of this approach is to protect hostages from unexpected losses.
He said efforts were also underway to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the kidnappings and disrupt their activities in the area.
Gunmen reportedly attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali on Sunday, abducting about 167 worshippers.
Initially contradictory statements came from security officials about this incident. On Monday, the Kaduna State Police Command described reports of kidnappings as false, and blamed them on “conflict entrepreneurs” who were allegedly trying to undermine the relative peace in the state.
However, on Tuesday the Nigerian Police Force confirmed the incident. The force's spokesperson, Benjamin Hundayin, said the earlier statement by the Kaduna Police Commissioner was aimed at preventing public panic. At the same time, the investigation was ongoing, and it could not be ruled out that a kidnapping had occurred.
