The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force over what it described as a botched attempt to downplay and conceal the mass abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali, located in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
According to the party, the initial denial of the incident—despite credible reports from the community—followed by an eventual admission after widespread public outrage, highlights what it called an unhealthy fixation on image management by governments run by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued to Naija News and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned that the episode raised troubling questions about the reliability and sincerity of governments whose first reaction to security crises is to suppress information rather than confront reality.
“This incident forces Nigerians to ask a very serious question,” the statement said. “Can a government that instinctively hides the truth and withholds critical information be trusted to safeguard lives and restore security?”
The opposition party argued that the denial of a confirmed mass abduction could not be dismissed as a simple communication error. Instead, it described the action as a deliberate decision driven by a desire to preserve public image at the expense of public safety.
“The denial of a verified mass kidnapping is not an accidental lapse in communication,” the ADC stated. “It reflects a government more concerned about appearances than about addressing the real and urgent challenges facing its people.”
The party further stressed that honesty and transparency are essential during security emergencies, warning that suppressing facts only worsens already dangerous situations and slows down rescue operations.
“In times of violence and crisis, truth is the most powerful tool,” the statement continued. “It guides emergency response, supports rescue efforts, mobilises affected communities, and reassures a terrified public. When authorities resort to silence or falsehood, they delay action, intensify fear, and deepen the trauma experienced by victims and their families.”
The ADC also expressed alarm over reports that journalists, civil society organisations, and independent observers were allegedly denied access to the affected communities. According to the party, such restrictions only fuel suspicion and undermine public confidence.
“Reports that the media and civil society actors were blocked from accessing Kurmin Wali raise serious concerns about what the authorities were trying to conceal,” the statement noted.
The party argued that any government genuinely committed to tackling insecurity would promote the free flow of information rather than attempt to control or silence it. It added that the Kurmin Wali incident had exposed contradictions in what Kaduna State officials often describe as a successful peace and security strategy.
While authorities were quick to dismiss reports of the abduction to protect the state’s image, the ADC pointed out that senior government officials have, at various times, openly admitted to negotiating with bandits and making concessions to armed groups.
“Such an approach may deliver short-term calm, but it is not a sustainable solution,” the party warned. “It is a risky strategy that rewards criminal behaviour and leaves law-abiding citizens exposed to repeated attacks.”
The ADC also criticised the Federal Government for what it described as a disturbing silence following the abduction of Christian worshippers. According to the party, the absence of an official response suggested not only a lack of empathy but also frustration over the continued erosion of the government’s security narrative.
“Silence is not a security strategy,” the statement said. “It is often a sign of irritation that reality is contradicting official claims of improved security.”
The party called for urgent, transparent, and coordinated rescue efforts to secure the release of all abducted persons in Kurmin Wali and other parts of Kaduna State. It also demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the initial denial of the incident, including the roles played by government officials and security agencies in spreading misleading information.
In addition, the ADC urged authorities to immediately remove any restrictions placed on journalists and civil society organisations seeking to report from conflict-affected areas. The party also called for full public disclosure of any agreements or negotiations entered into with armed groups, including their legal framework and oversight mechanisms.
“No Nigerian should ever have to plead with the government for their suffering to be acknowledged,” the ADC said. “And no family should be forced to prove that their loved ones have been abducted before the state is willing to act.”
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