Atiku Slams Tinubu Administration Over Plateau Massacre, Warns of Security Breakdown Nationwide

 

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has issued a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government over the escalating wave of violence in Plateau State and other parts of northern Nigeria.

In a heartfelt statement released via his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Atiku expressed profound sorrow over the latest bloodshed in Plateau’s Zike community, where no fewer than 47 people were reportedly killed in an attack that has once again laid bare the fragile state of Nigeria’s internal security.

The attack, which occurred in the Kwali district of Bassa Local Government Area, follows closely on the heels of another deadly assault in Bokkos LGA, intensifying public anxiety over the government’s ability to protect its citizens.

“I am deeply saddened and alarmed by the resurgence of violent attacks in Plateau State,” Atiku stated. “It is regrettable and entirely unacceptable that these Nigerians had to lose their lives as a result of the incompetence of the Tinubu-led administration.”

The former vice president minced no words in blaming the current administration for what he described as a continued failure to uphold the constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property — a duty he says the government has consistently fallen short of fulfilling.

According to Atiku, the recent killings are not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern that reflects the total breakdown of the country’s security apparatus. He noted that while Plateau has become a hotspot for inter-communal violence and terrorist incursions, other northern states, such as Borno, are also experiencing deteriorating conditions.

Citing recent remarks by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Atiku highlighted the alarming resurgence of insurgency in the region, which continues to claim lives and threaten communities.

“These disturbing developments underscore the total collapse of the current administration’s security policy and architecture,” he said, adding that the Tinubu-led government has failed to mount an effective response to the deepening crisis.

Atiku further condemned the prolonged delays in prosecuting terrorism suspects, many of whom have been in detention since 2016 without trial. He contrasted this lack of urgency with the swift legal action often taken against political dissenters and critics of the government.

“If the same level of urgency and energy were devoted to the prosecution of terrorists as we have seen applied to the trials of political critics, we would have sent a clear and forceful message that crime has consequences,” he emphasized.

As a remedy, the PDP chieftain called on the Attorney General of the Federation to prioritize terrorism-related cases and advocated for the establishment of special courts dedicated to handling such matters swiftly and efficiently.

He also urged the National Assembly to pass laws that would empower state governments to adequately arm and equip local security outfits, arguing that a more decentralized and fortified security strategy is essential to addressing the growing threats across Nigeria.

Describing the frequent incursions by cross-border armed groups as a “national disgrace,” Atiku challenged the federal government to stop reacting after the fact and instead adopt proactive and preventive measures.

“The people cannot continue to pay the price for government failures. Condemnation after the fact is not enough,” he warned. “What is needed are proactive, preventive actions.”

Atiku further appealed to community leaders and citizens to resist cooperating with armed elements and instead work hand in hand with law enforcement by providing actionable intelligence. He described security as a “shared responsibility” that requires public participation alongside state action.

While he lauded the courage and sacrifices of the nation’s security forces, Atiku underscored the need for a more supportive and responsive government to back their efforts effectively.

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” he concluded. “We owe them justice, and we owe Nigeria a safer future.”

His statement adds to the mounting criticism the Tinubu administration faces over insecurity, with many Nigerians increasingly demanding a shift from rhetoric to results in the war against terror, banditry, and communal violence.