Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over the recent wave of deadly violence in Plateau State. In a strongly worded statement shared on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Atiku held the federal government responsible for what he described as a total failure to protect Nigerian lives, citing incompetence and lack of decisive action.
Expressing deep sorrow, Atiku condemned the killing of at least 47 people in Zike community, Kwali district of Bassa Local Government Area, which occurred just days after a similar violent incident in Bokkos LGA. He described the incidents as evidence of Nigeria’s rapidly deteriorating security landscape.
“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 due to the incompetence of the Tinubu-led administration. The primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property, but unfortunately, President Tinubu has failed these citizens and continues to do so.”
Atiku extended his concern beyond Plateau, pointing to worsening insecurity in Borno State. He referenced alarming statements made by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, highlighting increased terrorist activities and territorial losses to insurgents.
“These disturbing developments underscore the total collapse of the current administration’s security policy and architecture,” he warned.
The former vice president also criticized the government’s failure to prosecute terrorists and bandits. He lamented that suspects arrested as far back as 2016 have yet to face trial. Atiku noted a troubling disparity in the urgency shown towards prosecuting political critics compared to terror suspects.
“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 said.
To address the persistent insecurity, Atiku called on the Attorney General of the Federation to prioritize terrorism-related prosecutions. He proposed the establishment of special courts to fast-track trials of suspected terrorists and also condemned the federal government’s inability to prevent cross-border incursions by armed groups, describing it as a “national disgrace.”
In a push for broader security reform, Atiku urged the National Assembly to enact legislation empowering state governments to arm and equip local security outfits with modern weaponry. He emphasized the need to support Nigeria’s overstretched security forces and provide proactive rather than reactive responses to threats.
“The people cannot continue to pay the price for government failures,” Atiku stressed. “Condemnation after the fact is not enough. What is needed are proactive, preventive actions.”
He also appealed to communities to reject any form of collaboration with armed groups and instead assist security agencies by sharing critical intelligence. Describing security as a shared responsibility, Atiku reaffirmed his support for Nigeria’s security forces while urging the government to back them with real, strategic action.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” he concluded. “We owe them justice, and we owe Nigeria a safer future.”
