Atiku Abubakar Condemns Rising Insecurity, Accuses Tinubu Government Of Neglecting North-Central Nigeria.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of abandoning Nigeria’s North-Central region to escalating violence and insecurity. In a statement issued on Tuesday via his official X account, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate described the surge in killings across the region as a “monumental failure” of the government’s duty to protect lives and property.
Atiku highlighted the deteriorating security situation in states such as Kwara, Niger, Plateau, and Benue, noting that Kwara, once considered a safe haven, has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnappings. He pointed to recent attacks in Niger State, where militants have targeted military bases, killed soldiers, and even massacred worshippers in a mosque. “Plateau and Benue continue to bury their dead while the Federal Government looks away,” he lamented, citing over 10,000 lives lost in Northern states by May 2025, with Benue alone accounting for more than half of these deaths. Atiku warned that mass killings have continued weekly since then, with little apparent response from the government.
The former vice-president accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of prioritising political battles over addressing insecurity. He alleged that the party has deployed “thugs, infiltrators, and hired hooligans” to disrupt opposition political meetings in states like Kaduna, Kebbi, and Ogun, with security forces failing to intervene or even blaming victims. “The silence of the APC leadership is proof of complicity,” Atiku stated, warning that such violence risks undermining Nigeria’s democracy. He urged the Nigeria Police to remain neutral and constitutional, reminding them that they are funded by taxpayers, not the APC.
Atiku’s remarks come amid growing national concern over persistent violence in the North-Central and other regions. His call for urgent action echoes sentiments expressed by other prominent figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently alleged that the government has been paying incentives to bandits, further complicating efforts to curb insecurity.
As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, Atiku’s statement underscores the need for a robust and unified approach to restoring peace and security. He called on leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare over partisan interests, warning that history will judge harshly those who fail to act. The former vice-president’s outspoken critique is likely to intensify debates about the Tinubu administration’s security strategy as the nation approaches the 2027 elections.