The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has expressed shock over the response of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to reports of a mass kidnapping at a church in Kaduna State.
Hayab criticised security authorities for initially denying that the incident occurred, despite reports that several worshippers were abducted during the attack. He described the reaction of the agencies as confusing and disturbing.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, the CAN chairman said the situation was further complicated by conflicting statements from government officials and security agencies, especially regarding the number of people kidnapped.
According to him, the debate over figures shifted attention away from the central issue – that an abduction had taken place.
“One of the reasons figures were flying around was because some officials asked for names to prove the incident happened. Before 5am, names were already circulating,” Hayab said.
He stressed that both the church and the local community have consistently maintained that the incident occurred, urging security agencies to focus on tackling the crime rather than disputing numbers.
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“A lot of people were kidnapped, and that is the main issue. What we have been telling security agencies is that we should not be debating figures,” he added.
Hayab further expressed concern that security agencies were reportedly informed immediately after the incident but later issued statements denying that any kidnapping took place.
“How can security agencies be notified immediately, even send internal signals as they usually do, and later come out to deny the incident? That is what worries us,” he said.
He also questioned the conduct of a local government council chairman who allegedly gave an initial account of the incident, including casualty figures, before later claiming that nothing happened.
“The council chairman said he was there and even gave figures. We were therefore shocked to hear him later say that nothing happened,” Hayab stated.
The incident has continued to spark public concern, with growing calls for clarity, accountability, and a coordinated security response to rising insecurity in Kaduna State.
