Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over the worsening wave of insecurity across the country, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu no longer has the moral justification to remain in office if Nigerians continue to live under the threat of terrorism and mass abductions.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Atiku Media Office, the former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress expressed concern over what he described as the increasing boldness of terrorists and bandits operating across the country without decisive resistance from the government.
According to him, the inability of the government to secure lives and property amounts to a failure of its primary constitutional responsibility.
“President Tinubu has no moral or political latitude to stay in Aso Villa a day longer if tens and hundreds of abducted citizens continue to languish in captivity across the country,” Atiku stated.
He questioned how non-state actors had been allowed to turn parts of the country into “killing fields” and centres for kidnapping and extortion, warning that the deteriorating security situation now poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s education system.
Atiku specifically called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward the rescue of dozens of students and teachers abducted in recent attacks in both Oyo State and Borno State.
Reports indicate that no fewer than 42 schoolchildren were kidnapped during coordinated terrorist attacks on schools in Mussa town, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on May 15.
On the same day, more than 40 students and teachers were also abducted during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where a teacher was reportedly beheaded.
The former Vice President said the recurring attacks on schools undermine the credibility of the government’s Safe Schools Initiative and create fear among students, parents and educators nationwide.
He stressed that mere condemnations of attacks are insufficient if they are not backed by swift rescue operations and visible action against criminal groups.
“Impunity makes terrorists bolder and more determined to carry out future attacks. Citizens look up to the government for urgent and decisive intervention against banditry and terrorism,” he said.
Atiku also raised concerns over delays in the prosecution of terrorism-related cases, calling for the establishment of special courts to fast-track trials involving terrorists and bandits.
He further advocated the enforcement of the death penalty for convicted terrorists, insisting that justice would remain ineffective without the political will to implement punishments prescribed by law.
According to him, Nigerians need reassurance that the government remains capable of protecting citizens and defending the nation’s territorial integrity against violent criminal groups.
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