Former Vice President Condemns Government Self-Congratulation Over Abductee Release Amid Rising National Security Concerns

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized the Tinubu administration over its handling of recent abductions by bandits, describing the government’s public statements as an alarming display of incompetence. The condemnation followed remarks by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who praised security agencies for securing the release of 24 schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.

Onanuga had earlier disclosed on Arise Television that the Department of State Services and military operatives established direct communication with kidnappers responsible for abducting 38 worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, in Kwara State. According to the presidential spokesperson, the bandits complied with government demands to release the victims after being confronted with potential consequences.

Atiku, reacting through his media office, described the administration’s approach as shameful and dangerous. He questioned why the government, which claimed to have tracked the kidnappers and maintained communication with them, failed to arrest or neutralize the criminals. The former Vice President argued that negotiating with terrorists signals a troubling normalization of criminal operations, allowing them to act freely while the government appears to applaud their “compliance.”

“The release of abducted Nigerians is not a trophy moment; it is a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face,” Atiku stated. He added that it is unacceptable for any nation to celebrate negotiating with criminals rather than taking decisive action to prevent further attacks.

Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of turning security failures into public relations victories. He warned that such narratives expose a loss of control over national security, portraying terrorists as an alternative governing force capable of collecting ransom and reoffending without fear of consequences. The former Vice President called the government’s statements irresponsible and condemned what he described as propaganda designed to mislead Nigerians about the true state of the country’s security.

He demanded more robust and effective protection for citizens instead of superficial announcements that paint government inefficiency as success. “No serious nation applauds itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance. No responsible government congratulates itself for allowing abductors to walk back into the forests to kidnap again,” Atiku emphasized.

The former Vice President concluded that Nigerians deserve real security measures, not stories that attempt to spin failure into achievement. He urged the government to prioritize dismantling criminal networks and ensuring citizens’ safety, warning that continued inaction will erode public confidence and embolden criminal elements.