• Obi urges action after Kaduna abduction

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Police Command and the Chairman of Kajuru Local Council over a “shameful” denial of the reported kidnap of about 163 worshippers in Kajuru community of Kaduna.  Relatedly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the recent bandit attacks in Kajuru, Kaduna State, warning that peace deals with the criminals often favour the perpetrators over the victims.
 
Meanwhile, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has called on the authorities to take decisive action following the confirmed abduction of worshippers from churches in Kajuru.
 
In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the opposition PDP maintained that the initial silence of the Federal Government and the outright denial by security authorities and local council officials reflected a dangerous trend of downplaying insecurity and concealing facts from the public.
 
The party recalled that when reports of the mass abduction first surfaced, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, dismissed the incident as the handiwork of “mischief makers” and “conflict entrepreneurs,” while reportedly demanding details of the victims. It added that the Chairman of Kajuru Local Council also denied that any kidnapping took place within his jurisdiction.
 
The party said the denials were not only insensitive but also troubling, as they suggested a lack of seriousness in handling critical security challenges.
 
It called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy a high-powered security team to trace the abductors and ensure the safe rescue and return of the kidnapped worshippers to their families.

ATIKU, in a statement released yesterday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, emphasised that government negotiations should focus on protecting communities and upholding their rights, instead of giving the bandits an unfair advantage.
 
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed on Tuesday that bandits abducted some worshippers during a church service in Kajuru last Sunday.
 
Responding to the news, Atiku expressed concern about the bandits’ growing boldness, who continue to target communities without fear of consequences. He emphasised that it is alarming that, even as some states claim progress through peace deals, these criminals persist in carrying out kidnappings and attacks.
 
The former VP stated, “It is difficult to achieve deterrence in a situation where governors are on their knees begging bandits in the name of peace deals,” noting that while he was not against negotiations to end the violence, he would not accept a situation where the bandits dictate the peace deals on their own terms. “Those peace deals always favour the bandits more than their victims, and they have always fooled the government’s negotiators.”
 
He advised the government not to wait until the bandits strike before responding.
OBI, in a statement on his official social media page yesterday, questioned the initial denials of the incident and criticised the handling of information by security authorities.
  
“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, adding that leadership goes beyond holding office.
  
“In any serious country, this would trigger decisive national action, clear communication, and visible leadership.
 
 “Leadership is not only about grabbing power, but 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 said.  The former presidential candidate stressed the urgency of securing the victims.