The Nigeria Police Force has cautioned churches and worshippers against the public disclosure of personal achievements and financial information during religious gatherings following the foiling of an alleged plot to kidnap a female cleric in Abuja.
The warning followed the arrest of four suspects over an alleged plan to abduct Prophetess Elizabeth, an assistant pastor whose testimony about her personal achievements reportedly attracted the attention of some members of her congregation.
According to Punch Newspapers, which reported the development on Friday, October 9, the deputy commissioner of Police in charge of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Adamu Muazu, issued the warning on Thursday while parading the suspects.
The police said the alleged kidnapping was planned for after an evening church service but was foiled before the operation could be carried out. The case has raised concerns about the security risks worshippers may face when personal information shared within religious communities falls into the wrong hands.
The intended victim had reportedly spoken during a church testimony about her achievements and how she established a business. Investigators alleged that some members of the congregation used information from the testimony to develop a plan to abduct her, potentially exploiting their knowledge of her financial circumstances.
Muazu expressed concern that some of the suspects allegedly had close relationships with the intended victim and the church leadership. Punch quoted the police officer as saying that one of the suspects was the victim’s driver, while another worked as a bodyguard to the head pastor.
Their alleged positions within the church community may have given them access to information about the cleric’s activities and movements, although the full details of the investigation were not independently established in the available reports.
The police reportedly recovered a locally made firearm, a vehicle allegedly acquired for the operation and other items connected to the suspected plot.
The four suspects have been accused of involvement in the planned abduction. The allegations have not been established in court.
Muazu urged church leaders, particularly those whose places of worship are located in isolated areas, to prioritise the safety of their congregations. He warned that worshippers should not automatically assume that everyone attending a religious gathering has good intentions.
He also advised church administrators to assess security risks around their premises and provide adequate guidance for members attending late-night services.
The police called for greater attention to access routes, entrances and exits, particularly where services end after dark. The warning highlights the importance of security planning for churches that organise evening programmes, prayer meetings and vigils.
However, The incident has also raised questions about how churches can balance the spiritual significance of public testimonies with the need to protect the privacy and safety of their members.
Testimonies are a familiar feature of Christian worship in Nigeria, where congregants often share accounts of business growth, financial breakthroughs, career advancements, healing and other personal experiences as expressions of gratitude to God.