From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Kaduna State Police Commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu has described the reported kidnapping of over 100 worshippers in Kajuru as a mere falsehood being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs seeking to cause chaos in Kaduna State.
Addressing reporters after the State Security Council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, the police commissioner challenged anyone to list the names of the kidnapped victims and other particulars.
Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu warned rumor mongers to desist from trying to derail the prevailing peace in Kaduna State, threatening that the full wrath of the law will be visited on such merchants of falsehood.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, said that when he heard of the attack, he mobilized the police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found 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.
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 rumor 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,’’ he added.
He advised the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, adding that they should report any suspicious movements and rumor mongers to security agents.
In his response, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home, Sule Shauibu (SAN), said that the CAN chairman and other religious leaders have interacted with the people of the area where the so-called kidnapping occurred.
‘’They found out that what was pushed out to the public sphere was completely false,’’ he said, assuring that ‘’Kaduna State Government has zero tolerance for criminality.’’
