Police warn against sharing testimonies in church over kidnapping risk
Adamu Muazu, the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the intelligence response team (IRT), has warned churches about the security risks posed by testimonies and evening services held without adequate precautions.
Muazu gave the warning while parading four suspects, all members of the same congregation, over an alleged plot to kidnap a prophetess after she shared her testimony in Abuja.
He said sharing testimonies in church about personal achievements “doesn’t conform to common sense and rationality,” warning that not everyone attending religious gatherings has good intentions.
Muazu urged church and mosque leaders in remote areas to prioritise the security of their members and provide adequate safety advice.
“You can’t go to a church located on the outskirts, attend evening prayers, leave in the evening and return home after sharing testimonies about what you have achieved in life,” he said.
“It doesn’t conform to common sense and rationality, especially in the midst of a gathering of people watching you, whom you assume are all men of God. No, everybody has their own motive for going to church.
“If a church or mosque is located on the outskirts, I believe the leaders of those institutions must also think about the security of their members and advise them adequately.
“If you must hold evening services, that must be guided by careful security considerations, particularly regarding the routes in and out of the church and its exits. You can’t have all members coming for evening prayers and saying things they shouldn’t be saying, then expect these underworld men not to plan against them.”
The officer also revealed that two of the suspects were the prophetess’s driver and the church’s head pastor’s bodyguard.
“Surprisingly, one of the suspects turned out to be her driver, who worked with her, while the second suspect is a bodyguard to the head pastor of the church. They are all members of the same church,” he added.
