Police in northern Nigeria have denied reports that dozens of worshippers were kidnapped from churches in Kaduna state on Sunday. Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu said in a joint statement with local officials on Monday, "This is mere falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos." Earlier, a local official had told the BBC that gunmen abducted many people attending three different churches. The chairman of Kajuru local government, Dauda Madaki, said security forces found "no evidence of the attack" after visiting the area. He added that the village head confirmed no such attack happened. The state's commissioner for internal security reported that religious leaders also visited the area and found the reports were "completely false." However, a community leader, Ishaku Dan'azumi Sarkin, earlier claimed armed men kidnapped 177 people, with 11 escaping and several injured, though no deaths were reported. Nigeria has faced many kidnappings targeting both Christians and Muslims, often for ransom. In November, over 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school and later freed. The nation continues to struggle with various security challenges, including Islamist insurgents, separatist violence, and clashes between herders and farmers. Poor policing and corruption have worsened the crisis. The US recently increased military actions against militants in Nigeria and warned of more strikes following attacks on Christians. Nigeria’s foreign ministry emphasized the government's commitment to protecting all citizens without discrimination. Nigeria remains tense amid these ongoing security threats.