Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the worsening security situation in the country, urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward the safe rescue of abducted school children and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja, the former Vice President expressed concern over recent attacks on schools in both states, describing the incidents as a serious threat to the nation’s education system and a setback to the Safe Schools initiative.
According to the statement, terrorists on May 15 abducted at least 42 pupils during attacks on Government Day Secondary School, Mussa; Central Primary School; and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Secondary School in Mussa town, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The statement added that on the same day, more than 40 students and teachers were reportedly kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where a teacher was also said to have been killed.
Atiku lamented that the abducted children spent the Children’s Day celebration in captivity, accusing the Federal Government of failing to take decisive action against insecurity.
He stated that the continued attacks by terrorists and bandits demonstrated the inability of the government to adequately protect lives and property, stressing that the primary responsibility of any administration is the security and welfare of citizens.
The former Vice President said the persistent cases of abduction and violent attacks across the country had exposed Nigerians to fear and uncertainty, while criminal elements continued to operate with impunity.
He warned that delayed responses to attacks and prolonged captivity of victims could embolden terrorists and encourage further assaults on schools and communities.
According to him, Nigerians expect prompt and effective intervention from the government whenever security breaches occur, adding that official condemnations alone were insufficient without concrete rescue operations and prosecution of offenders.
Atiku also called for reforms in the criminal justice system to ensure speedy trial of terrorism-related cases. He advocated the establishment of special courts for terrorism and banditry offences, while urging authorities to demonstrate stronger political will in implementing penalties against convicted terrorists.
The statement maintained that restoring public confidence in government would depend largely on its ability to guarantee the safety of citizens and decisively tackle insecurity across the country.
