The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has doubled down on claims that worshippers were abducted from churches in Kaduna State, insisting that the controversy over figures must not obscure the core issue of human lives taken.
Speaking on Prime Time, a current affairs programme on Arise Television, Hayab addressed the conflicting narratives that followed reports of the abduction of scores of Christians during church activities in parts of Kaduna. He said security agencies were promptly notified when the incidents occurred, a fact he argued makes subsequent denials troubling.
According to him, the public debate has been skewed by a fixation on numbers rather than the reality of the crime. He explained that discrepancies arose after demands were made for names to substantiate the claims, noting that verified details emerged within hours through established community channels.
Hayab maintained that kidnappings did occur, adding that while some victims managed to escape, others were taken away. He said local authorities, including the council chairman in the affected area, initially provided figures as CAN worked through its network to confirm details.
“What should concern the nation is not whether the number is high or low, but whether people were kidnapped at all,” he said, stressing that the answer to that question was unequivocally affirmative.
The cleric expressed disappointment that security agencies, despite being alerted immediately, later issued statements denying the incidents. He suggested that the inconsistencies may stem from information gaps rather than deliberate suppression, but warned that such sensitive matters demand rigorous handling.
Hayab, who said he had built a reputation over decades for speaking only on verifiable facts, insisted he possessed sufficient evidence to support CAN’s position. He urged authorities to move beyond public rebuttals and focus on decisive action to protect worshippers and restore confidence.
