Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the recent Kebbi schoolgirls’ abduction, insisting that their release should not be framed as an achievement but as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.
In a statement released by his media office on Wednesday, Atiku described the return of the girls as “not a trophy moment” but “a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face.”
The former vice president’s comments came in response to remarks made by Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, during an interview on Arise News TV. Onanuga had credited the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military for tracking the kidnappers in real time and establishing contact to secure the girls’ release without paying ransom.
He had stated, “The security people know all the bandits that are operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate. Our people are living around where they operate. So you can’t just go there. They need to be very careful that in the course of chasing these bandits, they don’t go and bomb innocent Nigerians.”
Atiku rejected this explanation, calling it “a shameful attempt to whitewash a national tragedy and dress up government incompetence as heroism.” He questioned why the kidnappers were not arrested or neutralised despite claims that they were under surveillance, asking: “Why is the government boasting about talking to terrorists instead of eliminating them? Why is kidnapping now reduced to a routine phone call between criminals and state officials?”
He further warned that the government’s approach risks creating a dangerous precedent, adding: “Terrorists and bandits have become an alternative government, negotiating, collecting ransom, and walking away untouched, while the presidency celebrates their compliance. No serious nation applauds itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance.”
The Kebbi abduction occurred on November 17 when armed assailants stormed the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, killing a staff member and kidnapping 25 students. One girl escaped shortly after, leaving 24 in captivity until their release on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the girls’ release in a statement, expressing relief and commending the security agencies, while Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris confirmed no ransom was paid, attributing the release to coordinated action by security personnel.
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