Gbenga Hashim, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the federal government and elements within the security apparatus of complicity in the nation’s worsening security challenges.
In a statement on Sunday by his media office, Hashim warned that “terrorism and mass kidnappings cannot be defeated amid official denials, suppression of facts, and intimidation of affected communities.”
He was reacting to the January 18 abduction of 166 worshippers in an attack on three churches in Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Kaduna state police commissioner Muhammad Rabiu, the council chairman of Kajuru LGA, Dauda Madaki and the Kaduna state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), had earlier denied that the incident did not occur before the force headquarters of the Nigerian Police confirmed it.
Hashim said, “the denial exposed a troubling and increasingly common pattern in Nigeria’s security management, the suppression of information rather than decisive action.”
He maintained that, “No matter the level of international action against terrorism, Nigeria will not get results as long as local authorities are compromised and complicit,”
He described the initial handling of the incident as a “calculated attempt to erase a crime,” arguing that it reflects a system that now treats truth as a liability instead of a foundation for effective security response.
The PDP chieftain also raised concerns over the alleged intimidation of the community, noting that the affected populations are often pressured into silence rather than protected by authorities.
He linked this trend to heightened international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation following the United States’ Christmas Day airstrikes on terrorist locations in Sokoto state.
According to him, the period after the strikes witnessed further attacks that were allegedly concealed by officials.
He cited reports from Kebbi State, where terrorists reportedly killed at least nine people about a week after the U.S. operation.
“Credible community leaders confirmed that information about the killings was officially suppressed, and warnings were issued against speaking out,” Hashim stated.
He further criticised the federal government’s response to the U.S. strikes, accusing the APC-led administration of failing to leverage the operation to dismantle terrorist networks.
Hashim said despite claims by government officials that Nigeria had prior knowledge of the strikes, there was no corresponding deployment of ground forces to intercept or apprehend fleeing insurgents.
“Surviving terrorists were allowed to escape across the border into Niger Republic. This was a missed strategic opportunity,” he said.
Hashim stressed that “the failure, or unwillingness to intercept retreating insurgents raises serious questions about intent within Nigeria’s security architecture.
“Nigeria’s insecurity is no longer just about capacity, funding, or intelligence. It is increasingly about intent and accountability.”
Gbenga Hashim condemns Kaduna abductions, says terrorism cannot be defeated amid official cover-ups
