The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to take urgent action to rescue 163 worshippers abducted during a Sunday church service in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The opposition party strongly condemned the attack, describing it as another painful example of the worsening security situation across the country. The worshippers were reportedly kidnapped by armed men who invaded the church while a service was ongoing, leaving the community in shock and fear.
The PDP’s position was made known in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong. He expressed deep sympathy to the victims and their families, saying the party shares in their pain and anxiety.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this agonizing period of uncertainty,” Ememobong said.
According to the party, the mass abduction of worshippers highlights what it described as the “normalisation of insecurity” under the administration of President Tinubu. The PDP said attacks like this have become too frequent and are now seen as part of daily life in many parts of Nigeria.
The party noted that places of worship, which should be safe for Nigerians of all faiths, have increasingly become targets for criminals. It warned that this trend threatens the constitutional right of citizens to freely practice their religion without fear.
“These frequent attacks on worshippers in their places of worship, irrespective of religion, represent the inability of this government to protect the constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of worship,” Ememobong said.
He added that Nigerians should not live in fear when going to churches or mosques, stressing that safety during worship is a basic right, not a privilege.
Kajuru Local Government Area, where the abduction took place, is one of several communities in southern Kaduna that have faced repeated attacks over the years. The area has been affected by banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, despite the presence of security forces.
Residents of the area say kidnappings have become more frequent, with criminals targeting villages, farms, highways, schools, and now places of worship. Many families have been forced to pay heavy ransoms, while others continue to wait in pain for the safe return of their loved ones.
The PDP urged the Federal Government and security agencies to immediately begin comprehensive rescue operations to bring the abducted worshippers home safely. The party warned against repeating what it described as past mistakes in handling similar incidents.
Ememobong referred to the Niger State school kidnapping incident, where hundreds of students were abducted, and later released. He claimed that during the rescue process, too much attention was placed on media coverage instead of protecting the identities and safety of the victims.
The PDP advised security agencies to focus on intelligence gathering, careful planning, and quiet operations that prioritize the lives of the victims rather than public display.
The party also criticized what it described as the Federal Government’s focus on international image campaigns while insecurity continues to worsen at home. According to the PDP, no amount of public relations efforts abroad can hide the pain being experienced by Nigerians affected by violence and kidnapping.
“The President should concentrate on fixing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity instead of spending millions of taxpayers’ money on international image laundering campaigns to change narratives abroad,” Ememobong stated.
He added that insecurity cannot be solved through propaganda, stressing that the voices of victims and their families will always be heard, regardless of attempts to paint a positive picture outside the country.
Nigeria has faced serious security challenges for more than a decade, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, and kidnapping for ransom across many regions. Despite changes in government and leadership, the problem has continued to grow, affecting both rural and urban areas.
Under President Tinubu’s administration, which began in May 2023, there have been promises to tackle insecurity through better coordination among security agencies, improved equipment, and stronger intelligence. However, critics argue that attacks and kidnappings have continued, raising questions about the effectiveness of current strategies.
The PDP also used the opportunity to renew its call for state policing as a long-term solution to Nigeria’s security problems. According to the party, local security structures would be better positioned to respond quickly to threats within their communities.
“We are convinced that if state policing had been operational, these criminals may not have successfully operated with such impunity and taken this large number of people captive,” Ememobong said.
Supporters of state policing argue that governors, who are currently described as “chief security officers” of their states, lack real control over security forces. They believe state-controlled police would improve response time and local intelligence.
However, opponents fear that state police could be abused by politicians or used to oppress political opponents. The debate has continued for years without a final decision.
The PDP stressed that regardless of long-term reforms, the immediate priority must be the safe return of the kidnapped worshippers. The party reminded the government that protecting lives and property is its primary duty under the Constitution.
“The protection of citizens is government’s primary constitutional responsibility. Every Nigerian deserves to worship in safety,” the statement said.
It added that the Tinubu administration must prove that Nigerian lives truly matter by taking swift and decisive action, rather than making promises that are not backed by results.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies in Kaduna State had not released an official statement on the kidnapping or confirmed efforts being made to rescue the victims. Families of the abducted worshippers remain in deep distress, praying and hoping for good news.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns across the country, with religious leaders, civil society groups, and opposition parties calling for stronger action against kidnappers and bandits.