Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged authorities to take swift and decisive action following the confirmed abduction of worshippers from churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement shared on his official social media platforms on Wednesday, Obi questioned the initial denial of the incident and criticised the handling of information by security agencies.
“Now that it has been confirmed that more than 150 worshippers were kidnapped, where and how did those who initially denied the incident get their information?” he asked.
Obi stressed that leadership goes beyond occupying office, noting that such incidents should prompt urgent national action, clear communication and visible leadership.
“In any serious country, this would trigger decisive national action. Leadership is not just about acquiring power; it is about presence—speaking when citizens are hurting, acting when lives are at risk, and clearly showing that every Nigerian life matters,” he said.
He called for immediate efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims, adding, “We must act now to ensure that all victims are released safely and unharmed, and to confront decisively the persistent insecurity facing our nation. Enough is enough. A new Nigeria is possible.”
The Nigeria Police Force later confirmed the abduction after initial uncertainty and conflicting reports. Earlier, local sources had alleged coordinated attacks on multiple churches, but the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Rabiu, initially said troops found no evidence of an attack.
Following confirmation, the police announced the deployment of tactical units and the launch of search-and-rescue operations under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The Christian Association of Nigeria also faulted the delays and confusion in public communication, calling for transparency and urgency in addressing insecurity across the country.
