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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has registered its discontent with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the way it handled the communication aspect of last weekend’s abduction of over 170 worshippers in a Kaduna church.
CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement on Wednesday, said the initial public dismissal of the reports about the incident before thorough verification was deeply troubling. “It generated confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of nearly 170 worshippers, their families, clergy, and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm.
“In situations of this gravity, public communication must not appear dismissive of the suffering or fears of affected citizens. Nevertheless, CAN reviewed the press statement issued by the police confirming the abduction incident at Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and recognises that verifying security incidents, especially in remote communities, can be challenging.
“However, these challenges do not excuse lapses in how sensitive matters are communicated to the public, particularly when reports involve mass abductions and threats to human life. While the need to prevent panic is understandable, caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference.
“Statements made by senior security officials carry significant weight and should therefore be guided by due diligence, empathy, and a clear understanding of their impact on public trust and social stability.”
The CAN president, however, commended the Inspector-General of Police for the subsequent confirmation of the incident and for directing the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to the affected area.
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He called on all security agencies and relevant authorities to strengthen coordination, improve verification processes, and ensure that credible reports from communities are treated with the seriousness they deserve. “Additionally, victims must be protected, genuine distress calls respected, and misinformation, whether dismissive or sensational, avoided.”
The CAN president also urged governments at all levels to confront the persistent insecurity across the country with renewed urgency, as repeated incidents continue to endanger lives, disrupt worship, and erode public confidence.
He assured that, as a national faith-based body, CAN remains committed to peace, justice, and the defence of human dignity, and will continue to stand with affected communities and engage constructively with authorities in the collective pursuit of safety, accountability, and lasting security.
He also made a heartfelt appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted and prayed that they be returned safely and unharmed.
He urged security agencies to intensify all efforts—operational, intelligence, and diplomatic—towards securing their swift rescue, insisting that the lives of innocent citizens must remain paramount.
