‘Stop Giving Testimony In Church’ – Police IRT Commander Warns Churchgoers

A commander of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has cautioned churchgoers against publicly disclosing details of their personal lives and achievements during services, warning that such information could expose them to security risks.

The commander gave the warning during an IRT briefing on TV Platinum on Thursday, particularly cautioning worshippers attending evening services at churches on the outskirts of towns.

He said publicly sharing personal achievements before a congregation whose intentions were unknown could make worshippers vulnerable to criminal attacks, particularly when returning home after night services.

“After closing from evening service, such act that they plan will be implemented. You can’t go to a church located on the outskirts, and you go to evening prayer, and close in the evening, coming down to your home, after making testimony of what you have achieved in life,” he said.

The commander cautioned against assuming that everyone attending church had good intentions, urging worshippers to exercise discretion when sharing sensitive personal information in public gatherings.

“It doesn’t conform with common sense and rationality in the midst of gathering of people watching you, thinking that they are all men of God. No. Everybody has his own motive of going to the church,” he said.

He also urged security agencies to prioritise the safety of religious worshippers by providing adequate security guidance to help prevent them from becoming targets of crime.

“I believe the role of security institution must equally think of the security of their member and must advise them adequately,” he said.

The commander further called on churches that hold evening services to strengthen their security arrangements, particularly by monitoring access routes and exits to protect congregants before and after worship.

“If you must hold evening services, and that has to be guided with a lot of security observation of the routes in and out, exits of those churches in and out,” he said.

He warned that disclosing sensitive information during night prayers without considering the possible consequences could give criminals information to plan attacks against worshippers.

“You can’t just have members come into night, evening prayers, and you say a lot of things that ought not to be said, and you expect these men of underworld will not plan anything against you,” he said.

He urged worshippers to remain security-conscious and called on church authorities to take appropriate measures to protect members, particularly those attending services that end late in the evening.