ABUJA — The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed the abduction of residents from the Kurmin Wali community in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a period of conflicting reports and official uncertainty.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin clarified that while the incident was initially confirmed by the police, its authenticity was subsequently disputed by certain individuals during a Kaduna State Security Council meeting convened by the Governor. This disagreement led to a temporary period of caution as security agencies sought to verify the conflicting claims.
The Force addressed the controversy surrounding recent comments made by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, which many had interpreted as a denial of the kidnapping. According to the statement, those remarks were a “measured response” intended to prevent public panic while field units worked to establish the exact number and identities of the victims.
“Subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources has confirmed that the incident did occur,” the statement confirmed.
In response to the confirmed threat, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate and full deployment of critical operational and intelligence assets to Kajuru and its surrounding communities. This deployment includes specialized tactical units and intensified patrols aimed at conducting targeted search-and-rescue operations.
The Police Force emphasized that the safety of citizens remains its utmost priority and appealed to the media and the general public to exercise patience. Officials urged the public to rely exclusively on verified police communications to avoid spreading speculation that could jeopardize ongoing rescue efforts or heighten regional anxiety.
The Nigeria Police Force has vowed to provide further updates as the tactical operations in Kaduna State progress.
