Simply few days into the brand new yr 2026, peace was, for the umpteenth time, shattered nationwide and in Kaduna State specifically when on Sunday 18 January, greater than 170 worshippers had been kidnapped in three church buildings in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State.
First, we’ve turn out to be so unlucky with insecurity that we at the moment are used to it, simply as we at the moment are used to dangerous roads, lack of potable water with just about each constructing sinking its personal borehole. We’re additionally now used to hospitals with out medical doctors and medicines, whereas producing one’s personal electrical energy is now the norm, somewhat than the exception. Nearly all the things individuals in different international locations take without any consideration we’ve to undergo for right here and largely, by no means get.
I actually surprise what we’ve governments for on this nation. To the Kaduna kidnappings — info reaching Vanguard by means of ordinary sources indicated {that a} large kidnap had taken place however when the first safety company, the Police, was contacted for extra info, denial was flat and absolute.
The Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Rabiu, dismissed the studies as false, describing them as fabrications by battle entrepreneurs bent on disrupting peace within the state.
Rabiu spoke to journalists after the State Safety Council assembly at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Home, and challenged these making the claims to provide the names and particulars of any alleged sufferer. “The story is a mere falsehood. Anybody who claims individuals had been kidnapped ought to come ahead with names and particulars,” the police commissioner stated, warning that purveyors of rumours will face the complete wrath of the legislation.
Chairman of Kajuru Native Authorities, Mr. Dauda Madaki, additionally took the identical place because the state Police Commissioner and stated safety companies swiftly moved to the realm following the studies however discovered no proof of any assault.
“After I heard the hearsay, I mobilised the police and different safety forces to Kurmin Wali. We visited the church the place the so-called kidnap was stated to have occurred and located no hint of any incident,” Madaki stated.
In response to him, the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, in addition to the youth chief of the neighborhood, Bernard Bona, each confirmed that no such assault came about.
As we’ve seen, each the Police commissioner and the native authorities chairman had been mendacity. From their preliminary response, a variety of posers come up.
Why did the Police commissioner instantly dismiss kidnapping studies in a state like Kaduna? What due diligence had he executed to warrant such dismissal? What property, by the use of intelligence, does the commissioner have on places exterior Kaduna metropolis the place he’s based mostly? In reality, one can ask additional, what was happening his thoughts that made him summarily dismiss the report? Was he underneath any affect, prior, instant or distant?
In response to Google Map, Kurmin Wali, the place the abductions came about is situated roughly eight miles (about 13 km) south of Maro city, making it a brief distance from Maro however a part of the broader Kaduna area, with precise driving distances various however usually inside Kaduna State’s attain from Kaduna Metropolis. Did the police commissioner do the 13-kilometre journey to Kurmin Wali to see for himself earlier than saying what he stated? Assuming that he wanted not do the grunt work himself, what personnel property did he order there to evaluate issues?
Then, the native authorities chairman of Kajuru, Dauda Madaki. Because the governor is liable for the entire state, so is the LG chairman liable for his space, simply because the president is liable for the entire nation. He stated he and safety forces mobilised didn’t see any hint of any incident. Clearly, Mr Madaki was mendacity. Which safety forces did he mobilise? From a Police commissioner who didn’t imagine something occurred, and in reality labelled bearers of the knowledge as “battle entrepreneurs?”
After the denial, their lies had been uncovered when an inventory of worshippers kidnapped was made public by officers of the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria within the state. Now that the Police commissioner’s problem had been taken and an inventory offered, what is going to he do?
The denial from Police authorities, whose constitutional responsibility it’s to guard individuals is sickening. I additionally really feel anxious by the bare-faced lies informed by the native authorities chairman. Their perspective and actions in respect of the Kaduna kidnappings, by which at least 173 individuals had been kidnapped reveals why we’ve battled insecurity and insurgency for 15 years or thereabouts now, with no sign of ending. With individuals just like the Kaduna police commissioner accountable for safety, there appears to exist an “I can’t be bothered” perspective to public safety.
With a politician just like the Kajuru LGA chairman, the political mindset behind the administration of safety challenges is uncovered — one other kidnapping? No downside! With this, I want to remind the facility elite that whereas Rome burned, Nero was fiddling. Nigeria is burning with insecurity and our flesh pressers are fiddling. Let me guarantee them that there must be a rustic first, earlier than you’ll be able to turn out to be its president, or a governor, or a senator or no matter. It’s worrisome that, past rhetorics, there appears to be no proof that our rulers are actually anxious about this downside. It’s time to save this nation and her individuals from the ravages of insecurity. It’s a downside that may be solved, and I imagine we are able to clear up it. Why it appears we don’t wish to is the difficulty. Or can we? TGIF.
The publish The Kaduna abductions and matters arising, by Adekunle Adekoya appeared first on Vanguard News.
