Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Bola Tinubu administration for celebrating the release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, saying the government has nothing to be proud of.
In a statement released Wednesday through his media team, Atiku argued that the situation only proves terrorists are operating freely, negotiating openly, and facing little to no consequences, while the government issues press releases to calm public anger.
Atiku’s comments came after Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga appeared on Arise News TV praising security agencies for their role in securing the girls’ release.
Onanuga said the DSS and military tracked the kidnappers in real time and made contact without paying ransom.
He also explained that while intelligence agencies know where bandits are hiding, launching strikes is complicated because the criminals often mix with civilians, making military action risky.
Atiku wasn’t buying it. He said the fact that children are still being kidnapped, and that their return is being framed as an achievement, shows just how broken the system is.
According to him, getting abducted victims back isn’t proof that security has improved. It’s proof that the country is in crisis.
