By DAYO ADESULU
The controversy surrounding the Kaduna church abduction has taken a sharper turn after former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, accused the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, of deliberately suppressing the truth about the mass kidnapping of Christian worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area.
In a strongly worded public statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Odinkalu alleged that the police hierarchy was fully aware of the abduction of 177 Christians during Sunday church services, but chose denial as an official response to protect institutional and political interests.
Odinkalu Questions Police Denial
According to Odinkalu, the initial police denial of the Kaduna church abduction was neither accidental nor based on lack of information. Instead, he argued that it was a calculated attempt to maintain a “convenient narrative” dictated by powerful interests beyond Kaduna State.
“The Nigeria Police alone know whose and what script they are acting out in claiming to deny the mass abduction last Sunday of the Kajuru 177,” Odinkalu wrote.
He described the denial as an insult to victims, their families, and the wider Nigerian public, especially in light of subsequent developments that contradicted official claims.
Police Commissioner Visited Abduction Sites
Central to Odinkalu’s accusation is the revelation that the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police personally visited the affected communities after the attack. Videos shared by the human rights lawyer showed a police team, led by the CP himself, inspecting churches allegedly attacked during the abduction.
Odinkalu insisted that the visit alone invalidates earlier claims that no kidnapping occurred.
“Kaduna State CP, Muhammad Rabiu, has been to the community with his folks. He has seen the affected places of worship and personally spoken to survivors,” he stated.
This visit, which took place on January 20, 2026, has since fueled public anger and renewed questions about why journalists were previously blocked from accessing the same locations for independent verification.
Journalists Blocked, Questions Raised
Following reports of the Kaduna church abduction, several journalists attempted to travel to Kajuru to confirm the incident. However, security forces reportedly prevented them from reaching the communities, citing security concerns.
Media advocates argue that denying journalists access while publicly dismissing the incident created the impression of a coordinated cover-up. To many observers, the restrictions only strengthened suspicions that authorities were attempting to control the narrative rather than confront the crisis.
Fear of Reprisals From Abuja?
Odinkalu went further, suggesting that the police commissioner’s reluctance to publicly confirm the Kaduna church abduction stemmed from fear of professional consequences.
“I suspect the CP may fear that if he says truthfully what he saw, his paymasters in Abuja, who have paid billions elsewhere to buy a convenient narrative, will come for his job,” he alleged.
Though controversial, the comment reflects a growing perception among Nigerians that security agencies sometimes prioritize political survival over transparency, especially when incidents expose systemic failure.
Conflicting Accounts Deepen Public Distrust
The abduction reportedly occurred during coordinated attacks on multiple churches in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru Local Government, where armed assailants stormed worship services and abducted congregants.
Local sources with relatives among the victims confirmed that the attackers arrived during ongoing services and forcefully took worshippers into nearby forests. Reports later indicated that about 10 vulnerable individuals were released, while the majority were taken away.
Despite these accounts, the Nigeria Police initially dismissed the Kaduna church abduction as false. Days later, amid intense public pressure, authorities reversed their position and acknowledged that a kidnapping had indeed occurred.
This reversal has deepened public distrust, with many Nigerians accusing security agencies of attempting to downplay attacks to avoid criticism.
Kaduna’s Long History of Violent Attacks
The Kaduna church abduction has also revived painful memories of repeated bandit attacks across the state. Southern Kaduna, in particular, has witnessed cycles of violence involving mass kidnappings, village raids, and targeted killings.
Earlier in January, bandits reportedly killed four members of a family during an overnight attack in Kachia town, near the newly established Federal University of Applied Science. Residents say such incidents have become disturbingly frequent, despite repeated assurances from authorities.
Calls for Independent Investigation Grow
Odinkalu’s remarks have intensified calls from civil society groups, religious leaders, and concerned citizens for an independent investigation into the Kaduna church abduction and the conduct of security agencies.
Many argue that restoring public trust requires more than official statements. It demands honesty, accountability, and unrestricted access for journalists and independent observers.
As families of the abducted await news of their loved ones, the central question remains unresolved: why was the truth about the Kaduna church abduction denied in the first place?
Until that question is answered, critics warn, the damage to public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions will continue to deepen.
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