The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force for initially denying the mass abduction of worshippers in a church in Kajuru Local Government Area, an incident later confirmed after public outcry.
In a statement posted on Thursday, January 22, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the episode as “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 party argued that the initial denial was not a mere communication lapse, but a deliberate act reflecting “the behaviour of a government obsessed with looking good rather than solving problems.”
Abdullahi emphasised the critical role of truth during security crises, saying, “In moments of violence and emergency, truth is the first line of defence.
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“It guides response, enables rescue, mobilises communities, and reassures a frightened public. However, when a government chooses silence or falsehood, it compounds danger, delays action, and deepens trauma.”
He added a stern warning about the consequences of such behaviour, noting, “A government that lies during a security crisis does not merely fail its people; it actively places them at further risk.”
The ADC’s statement underscores growing concerns over transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s handling of security challenges, particularly in cases involving abductions and other violent incidents that threaten public safety.
By highlighting the danger of official denial, the party called on the authorities to prioritise truth, timely information, and decisive action to protect citizens and restore public trust in the security apparatus.