Former Sports Minister of Nigeria, Solomon Dalung has accused the Nigeria Police Force of complicity through negligence following its initial denial of the abduction of church worshippers in Kaduna State, alleging that the action gave terrorists enough time to escape.
Dalung made the allegation while reacting to conflicting statements by security agencies after reports emerged that over 170 worshippers were abducted during a church service. The police initially denied the incident before later confirming that an abduction had indeed occurred.
According to Dalung, the denial was not a harmless error but part of a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s security management, where authorities suppress information during crises.
“When the police denied the abduction, they effectively helped the terrorists buy time,” he alleged.
Dalung said such actions undermine public trust and weaken national security, especially in regions already plagued by banditry and terrorism.
He criticised what he described as a culture of official denial, arguing that security agencies often prioritise protecting institutional image over protecting citizens.
Dalung linked the incident to broader governance failures, stating that insecurity persists because political leaders refuse to confront uncomfortable truths about the nation’s security collapse.
He also accused successive governments of politicising insecurity, noting that attacks are sometimes downplayed depending on the political sensitivity of the region or timing.
According to him, denying attacks does not prevent panic but instead worsens public fear once the truth emerges.
Dalung further expressed concern over the safety of religious communities, saying repeated attacks on churches and worship centres point to deeper intelligence and response failures.
He called on the federal government to hold security agencies accountable, stressing that misinformation during security emergencies can cost lives and derail rescue efforts.
Dalung also criticised the slow response mechanism of security forces, arguing that early acknowledgment of attacks improves coordination and increases the chances of rescuing victims alive.
He warned that unless transparency becomes a core principle of security operations, terrorism and kidnapping will continue to thrive.
The police later confirmed the Kaduna abduction and said rescue efforts were ongoing, while the Kaduna State Government also acknowledged the incident and appealed for calm.
Dalung maintained that Nigeria cannot defeat terrorism through denial and propaganda, insisting that honesty, accountability, and swift response remain critical to restoring public confidence and national security.
