A United States lawmaker has reacted strongly to reports of a mass abduction of Christian worshippers during church services in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved armed bandits attacking several churches and abducting more than 100 worshippers, according to local reports.
Moore, who took to his X handle, tasked the Nigerian government to ensure their release adding that more must be done to protect Christians in Nigeria.
Moore wrote: “Horrific news. Armed radical Muslim Fulani attacked three churches yesterday and kidnapped more than 100 Christian worshippers.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing an existential threat at the hands of the Fulani militants.
More must be done to protect them, and I urge the Nigerian government to ensure the swift and safe return of all those who were captured.”
He urged the Nigerian government to act swiftly to secure the safe return of all abducted worshippers and improve protection for vulnerable communities.
The abductions reportedly took place in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru Local Government Area during ongoing church services.
Sources told SaharaReporters that gunmen stormed multiple churches, forcing worshippers to leave with them at gunpoint.
A family member of one of the victims confirmed that over 100 people were taken during the coordinated attacks.
Reports also indicated that about ten abducted persons, described as vulnerable, were later released by the attackers.
CAN’s chairperson in the Kajuru LGA, Enoch Kaura, earlier told PREMIUM TIMES during a telephone interview on Monday that bandits abducted about 163 worshippers during a church service in the LGA on Sunday.
Mr Kaura stated that while 172 people were initially abducted, nine escaped shortly after the attack.
“The attack occurred while members were in the middle of the service. The bandits arrived in large numbers, blocked the church entrance, and forced the congregation into the bush,” Mr Kaura explained.
“It has been confirmed that 172 people were abducted, including men, women, and children. With nine individuals having escaped, 163 people remain in captivity,” Mr Kaura stated.
After the state government’s denial of the incident, Mr Kaura insisted in a telephone interview with our reporter that a mass abduction occurred on Sunday.
He stated that the church was currently compiling a list of the victims to present to the authorities and the general public.
Police, state government disagree
But in a swift response, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Rabiu, described the reported incident as a “falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos in Kaduna State”.
Mr Rabiu addressed reporters after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, challenging CAN and anyone to list the names of the kidnapped victims and other particulars.
Mr Rabiu warned rumour mongers to desist from trying to derail the prevailing peace in Kaduna State, threatening that the full wrath of the law would be visited on such merchants of falsehood.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, also denied a mass abduction of church members in his council area.
He said: “When he heard the rumour of the attack, we mobilised the police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found out that there was no attack.
“We visited the church where the so-called kidnapping took place. There was no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack.
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“I also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona, who was interviewed by the pressmen who accompanied me, and he said that no such thing happened.
‘’So, I challenge anyone to name the people that were kidnapped, and I have been waiting for this list, and no one has come forward with a name.
‘’I believe that the rumour of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of this administration,’’ the council chair said.
Treat human lives as sacred – Peter Obi tell FG
However, contrary to the authorities claim, Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has commented on the incident, he charged the Federal Government to treat human lives as sacred.
In a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Obi said it was time to confront insecurity in Nigeria.
He was reacting to the alleged abduction of over 100 worshippers from three churches in Kaduna State.
He said, “Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred, the time to confront this insecurity is now.
“I have just been informed that yet again, at the weekend, about 172 worshippers were abducted from churches in Kaduna. This is yet another unfortunate consequence of a nation where insecurity has been allowed to grow, unchecked and unchallenged in our everyday lives, as though it were normal. This should not be.
“Even with the government and police stating they are not aware of this incident, we must ask ourselves hard questions. Is this how we will continue? Can we keep waking up to news of mass abductions, disputed figures, and official denials while citizens live in fear? Whether confirmed or contested, the frequency of such reports alone shows a greater crisis of safety, leadership, and unity.
“Just recently, other communities in Benue, Zamfara, Kano, Niger and Plateau, have faced similarly gruesome insecurity. Nigeria is not at war, yet here we are again, counting victims with inconsistencies that surpass those of nations at war. A government that can mobilise resources for waste, for propaganda, for foreign lobbyists, but cannot secure communities or protect its people has misplaced its priorities.
“To the people of Kaduna, you are not alone. We stand with you, and to the families whose loved ones were taken, we share in your pain. We pray and hope that those abducted will be found and returned safely, and that those injured in the course of this attack receive swift and full medical recovery.”
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