Stop Denying Security Problems: ADC Slams Kaduna Govt, Police Over Mass Church Abduction
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it described as a failed attempt by the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to cover up the mass abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The party accused the authorities of initially denying the incident before later confirming it following public outrage, describing the action as part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government’s fixation on image management rather than addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also criticised the Federal Government for what it called “stone silence” over the abduction of Christian worshippers, describing the silence as a sign of fatigue and lack of empathy.
According to the party, the initial denial of the abduction raises serious concerns about the credibility of governments tasked with protecting lives.
“This episode raises a fundamental and dangerous question for our country: can a government whose first instinct is to withhold information and hide the truth be trusted to protect lives and improve security?” the statement read.
The ADC said the deliberate denial of a verified mass abduction was not a communication lapse but a calculated decision that undermined rescue efforts and public trust. It warned that withholding the truth during security emergencies delays response, deepens trauma for affected families, and exposes citizens to further danger.
The party also expressed concern over reports that journalists, civil society organisations, and independent observers were allegedly prevented from accessing affected communities, suggesting an attempt to suppress information.
“A government committed to solving problems in a time of crisis asks for information, not suppresses it,” the statement said, adding that dismissing verified accounts from families, community leaders, and religious bodies erodes public trust and weakens security efforts.
The ADC further pointed to contradictions in what it described as Kaduna State’s so-called peace approach. While authorities were quick to deny the abduction to preserve an image of security, senior officials have publicly acknowledged negotiating with bandits and making concessions to criminal groups.
According to the party, such an approach may deliver short-term relief but ultimately rewards criminality and leaves law-abiding citizens exposed to further attacks.
The opposition party also faulted the Federal Government’s silence on the incident, noting that silence in the face of insecurity is not a strategy but a reflection of frustration over the gap between official narratives and the reality on the ground.
The ADC called for immediate and transparent rescue efforts for all abducted persons in Kurmin Wali and across Kaduna State. It also demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the initial denial of the abduction, including the roles played by government and security officials.
In addition, the party urged authorities to lift all restrictions on journalists and civil society organisations seeking access to conflict-affected areas and called on the Kaduna State Government to fully disclose any negotiations or agreements with armed groups, including their legal basis and oversight mechanisms.
“No Nigerian should ever have to beg their government to acknowledge their suffering,” the ADC stated, stressing that the primary responsibility of government is to protect life, dignity, and truth.
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