France, Jan. 22 -- A senior Christian clergy member and a village head said more than 160 people were seized in Kurmin Wali village. A security report prepared for the United Nations noted the kidnapping of more than 100 people at multiple churches.

Kaduna state police and two senior government officials had earlier denied any abduction, saying security officers visited the area and found no proof of any kidnapping.

But late Tuesday, national police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin said an "abduction" had occurred and that security operations were under way "with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area".

He said earlier remarks by police and other officials in Kaduna were "intended to prevent...