The present disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate than a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). The present disclosure is to manage connections in a wireless communication system, and an operating method of a distributed unit of a base station may include receiving a first control message processed by a central unit from a terminal, transmitting to the central unit the first control message modified to indicate rejection of a procedure requested by the first control message, and in response to the modified first control message, receiving a second control message indicating the procedure rejection.