The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has strongly condemned the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Police Command over their initial denial of the reported abduction of about 163 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the development as “shameful and unacceptable.”
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
He faulted what he described as the government’s silence and an “outright denial” by security authorities, accusing them of attempting to downplay the scale of insecurity in the country.
According to the PDP, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Muhammad Rabiu, initially dismissed reports of the mass kidnapping as misinformation spread by “conflict entrepreneurs.”
“When news of this mass abduction first emerged, the Commissioner of Police did not just deny it; he recklessly dismissed it as the handiwork of mischief makers,” Ememobong said.
“He even went as far as demanding details of the victims, despite reports from the affected community.”
The party also criticized the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, who similarly denied that any kidnapping had taken place within the council.
Ememobong said the denials were particularly troubling because residents claimed security agencies were alerted immediately after the incident occurred.
“They had the opportunity to act. Instead, they chose denial, prioritizing the government’s image over the lives of 163 Nigerians,” he stated.
The PDP noted that the police later acknowledged the incident after residents and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reportedly provided the names of those abducted, but lamented that neither the Commissioner of Police nor the local government chairman had offered any apology.
“This act of public betrayal and failed cover-up is most shameful and condemnable,” the statement added.
The opposition party demanded an immediate public apology from both officials for their initial denial and called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy a high-powered security team to secure the release of the abducted victims.
“Once again, we urge this administration to abandon performative governance that prioritizes optics over substance,” Ememobong said.
“The business of government is solving problems, not winning applause. One hundred and sixty-three families are waiting. They deserve action, not excuses.”
