Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as well as the killing of innocent residents in Katsina State, including a pregnant woman, describing the incidents as evidence of a worsening security crisis and leadership failure in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed deep concern over the continued wave of violence across the country and lamented the reported killing of one of the teachers abducted during the Ogbomoso attack.
He described the persistent bloodshed not merely as a security challenge but as a frightening collapse of leadership at the highest level.
According to him, while criminal elements continue to unleash terror on communities, schools, and innocent citizens, the government’s response has remained repetitive and ineffective.
“At a time when armed criminals are abducting schoolchildren, slaughtering innocent citizens, and turning communities into graveyards, President Tinubu’s response has followed a familiar pattern — condemnation after tragedy, promises that perpetrators will face the full weight of the law, and silence until another attack occurs,” he said.
Atiku stated that Nigerians have become accustomed to repeated statements of outrage that fail to translate into meaningful action, adding that such responses no longer inspire confidence among citizens.
He argued that the country needs leadership driven by preventive action rather than repeated reactions after lives have already been lost.
The former vice president maintained that the recent incidents in Oyo and Katsina are not isolated cases but reflect a broader and disturbing pattern of insecurity where criminals now operate with boldness and little fear of consequences.
He said the ease with which armed groups invade schools, abduct children and teachers, attack communities, and carry out killings points to a weakening state authority and a declining security system.
Atiku questioned what comfort government statements could provide to grieving families already mourning loved ones and parents who now fear sending their children to school.
He also raised concerns over allegations suggesting attempts to suppress images and reports of such violent incidents from reaching the public.
According to him, if authorities are more focused on controlling public perception than addressing insecurity, it raises serious concerns about governance priorities.
He stressed that no responsible government should seek to hide evidence of citizens’ suffering for political reasons.
Describing the situation as a moral, leadership, and national failure, Atiku said Nigerians deserve more than public condolences and expressions of outrage.
He called for the immediate rescue of all abducted victims in Oyo State, stronger security operations in vulnerable communities, and a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture to effectively tackle the growing threats facing the country.
Atiku Condemns Oyo School Abduction, Katsina Killings, Says Nigeria Bleeding Under Failed Leadership
