Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has demanded urgent and transparent action from Nigerian authorities following the confirmed abduction of scores of worshippers from churches in Kurmin Wali, a community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident, which occurred during Sunday worship services, has deepened public anxiety over the country’s worsening security situation and renewed criticism of how officials communicate during crises. Local accounts from residents and community leaders indicated that armed men stormed churches in the area, seizing congregants and forcing them into the surrounding bush. Many of the abducted are believed to be women and children.
Initial reports from the community suggested that more than 150 worshippers were taken, though the exact number remains contested. Confusion over the scale of the attack was compounded by early denials and contradictory statements from security agencies, prompting outrage and suspicion among citizens already wary of official narratives on insecurity.
Obi, reacting through a statement on his verified social media platforms, questioned why authorities appeared to dismiss or downplay the incident before later confirming it. He argued that such inconsistencies erode public trust and send a dangerous message to both victims and perpetrators.
“Since it has now been confirmed that over 150 worshippers were kidnapped, where and how did those who denied the incident initially get their information?” he asked, challenging security officials to explain the gap between their early responses and subsequent admissions.
For Obi, the episode is not just about one community’s tragedy but a reflection of a broader failure of leadership in confronting Nigeria’s security crisis. He stressed that in countries where governance is taken seriously, an attack of this magnitude would trigger immediate, coordinated, and visible action at the highest levels of government.
“In any serious country, this would trigger decisive national action, clear communication, and visible leadership,” he said. “Leadership is not only about grabbing power, but it is also about presence. It is about speaking when citizens are hurting, acting when lives are at risk, and showing clearly that every Nigerian life matters.”
Obi’s comments tap into a growing sense of frustration among Nigerians who feel abandoned in the face of kidnappings, banditry, and communal violence that have become disturbingly routine in several parts of the country. Kaduna, in particular, has suffered repeated attacks on rural communities, schools, and places of worship, with many victims still unaccounted for months or even years after their abduction.
In his statement, Obi called for immediate and sustained efforts to rescue the Kurmin Wali victims and to confront what he described as a “persistent crisis of insecurity” that has gone on for too long.
“We must act now to ensure that all victims are released safely and unharmed, and to continue confronting decisively this persistent crisis of insecurity in our nation. Enough is enough. A New Nigeria is possible,” he said, reiterating a phrase that has become central to his political messaging.
The Nigeria Police Force has since confirmed the abduction, following a period of uncertainty marked by conflicting accounts. While residents and local leaders insisted that multiple churches were attacked and worshippers taken, Kaduna State Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu initially maintained that security personnel deployed to the area found no evidence of such an incident.
That position was later reversed when the Force Headquarters acknowledged that an abduction had indeed taken place in Kurmin Wali. The police announced the deployment of tactical units and the launch of search-and-rescue operations under the directive of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. These units, drawn from specialized formations, were said to be combing the area and working with other security agencies to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the hostages.
However, the delay between the first reports from the community and the eventual confirmation by the authorities has drawn sharp criticism from religious and civil society groups. The Christian Association of Nigeria condemned what it described as confusion and hesitation in official communication, arguing that such lapses can cost lives and embolden criminal groups.
CAN leaders stressed that when citizens raise alarms about attacks, the default response from authorities should be rapid verification and clear public updates, not outright dismissal. They warned that a pattern of denial followed by reluctant confirmation undermines confidence in the state’s capacity and willingness to protect its people.
Security analysts note that the Kurmin Wali abduction fits a familiar pattern in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups target vulnerable rural communities, schools, and churches, often on weekends or during religious gatherings. Victims are typically marched into forests or remote hideouts, with kidnappers later demanding ransom from families, communities, or state authorities.
In many such cases, families are left in the dark for days, relying on informal networks and local contacts for information. Official briefings, when they come, are often sparse and sometimes contradict eyewitness accounts. This information gap, experts say, fuels rumours, panic, and mistrust, making it harder to coordinate effective responses.
Obi’s intervention reflects a broader political and moral debate about how leaders respond to these recurring tragedies. While he no longer holds public office, his voice carries weight among supporters and critics alike, particularly on issues of governance, accountability, and security. By framing the Kurmin Wali abduction as a test of leadership, he is pressing those in power to demonstrate empathy, competence, and urgency.
His insistence that “every Nigerian life matters” also speaks to a perception among many citizens that some communities and regions receive more attention and faster responses than others. Rural areas like Kajuru, which have endured repeated attacks, often complain that their suffering is normalized and their pleas ignored until public outcry forces a reaction.
Beyond the immediate call for rescue operations, Obi’s remarks highlight the need for a more coherent national strategy on insecurity. This would include better intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies, investment in local policing and community-based early warning systems, and a more transparent approach to communicating with the public during crises.
