January 26, (THEWILL) — Kidnapping is not new in Kaduna State, one of the hotbeds of insecurity in northern Nigeria, but when a group of Christian worshippers are kidnapped by terrorists and security forces in the state hastily, without as much as instituting an investigation, deny the incident, questions are bound to be asked.
About a week ago, terrorists believed to be operating around the north-central state reportedly attacked some churches in Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and herded off more than 100 worshippers, including pregnant women and little children into the bush.
The actual number of worshippers abducted from the churches on that day was later put at 177. Eleven victims managed to escape from the terrorists, bringing the total number still in captivity to 166.
Just as local sources raised the alarm, the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Rabiu, told the public that no abductions took place in Kajuru LGA. He did not say that his position was the outcome of a thorough investigation or not. He simply dismissed reports of the incident on the pretext that the Police found no evidence that such a large number of people were abducted from the churches.
Curiously, television footages showed the police commissioner and his team on a tour of one of the churches where the abductions took place. During the tour, Mr Rabiu, the report alleged, ordered that cell phones must be switched off and no photo shots taken, apparently in an effort to cover up. Worse, Commissioner for Internal Security, Sule Shuaibu and the Kajuru Local Government Chairman, Dauda Madaki denied any knowledge of the abduction.
But what did the police commissioner, Commissioner for Internal Security and the LGA Chairman intend to cover up? There was desperation in the way and manner they reacted to the news of the abductions, which suggested he might be having ulterior motives.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, was one of the first groups to condemn the police denial of the kidnap incident in Kaduna. In a statement issued by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN said the initial dismissal of reports about the incident showed a lack of diligence and empathy on the part of the Kaduna Police Command.
It described the premature denial as troubling, noting that it unfairly questioned the credibility of victims, families, clergy and eyewitnesses.
“It generated confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of nearly 170 worshippers, their families, clergy and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm,” the statement read. We agree with CAN on this.
We also agree that communication during a crisis, such as we have just witnessed in Kaduna, must be guided by accuracy, empathy, and sensitivity. Dismissive statements are not advisable, they risk undermining public confidence.
Despite promises by the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government to ensure their rescue, nothing has been heard about the abducted 166 worshippers till date. We await their release and return from the kidnappers’ den.
