The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the initial public communication by the Nigeria Police Force on the reported abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, warning that careless handling of sensitive security information deepens fear, weakens public trust and worsens an already grave situation, as the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said in a statement that the association reviewed the police statement on the incident and was concerned about how the matter was communicated to the public before thorough verification, acknowledging the challenges of confirming security incidents in remote communities but stressing that such difficulties do not excuse lapses in sensitivity where human lives are involved, stating that “The initial public dismissal of reports about this 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,” while noting that although the need to prevent panic is understandable, “caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference,” adding that the subsequent confirmation of the incident by the police was necessary and commending the Inspector-General of Police for directing the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to the affected area, but insisting that such steps must be complemented by a more disciplined, people-centred and empathetic approach to crisis communication, because “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,” as CAN further urged security agencies and relevant authorities to strengthen coordination and verification processes and treat credible community reports with seriousness, warning that “Victims must be protected, genuine distress calls respected, and misinformation, whether dismissive or sensational, avoided,” while also calling on governments at all levels to confront Nigeria’s persistent insecurity with renewed urgency and appealing for “the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted,” praying for their safe return and urging security agencies to intensify “all efforts: operational, intelligence, and diplomatic, towards securing their swift rescue,” as the association reaffirmed its commitment to peace, justice, and the defence of human dignity and pledged to continue standing with affected communities while engaging constructively with authorities in pursuit of safety, accountability and lasting security.
