By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Federal Government over the latest killings in Southern Kaduna, declaring that the attack underscores what he described as the failure of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to protect Nigerians.
Reacting to reports that scores of residents were killed in fresh attacks on communities in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Atiku said the incident was another painful reminder of the country’s worsening security crisis.
He argued that no government could claim success while innocent citizens continued to be killed in their homes and communities by armed attackers.
“The reported killing of scores of innocent Nigerians in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Every life lost is a painful indictment of a government that has repeatedly promised security but continues to preside over an expanding landscape of bloodshed,” he said.
The former vice president accused the Tinubu administration of paying more attention to what he described as an unverified letter of commendation from the United States than addressing the country’s security challenges.
“It is deeply troubling that while Nigerians mourn yet another massacre, senior officials of this administration have been busy criss-crossing television studios and social media platforms brandishing what they describe as an unverified claim of a letter of commendation from the United States Government,” Atiku stated.
According to him, Nigerians are more concerned about their safety than international recognition.
“The people of Southern Kaduna—and indeed all Nigerians—do not need letters of praise from foreign capitals. They need security. They need to sleep without fear, travel without anxiety, cultivate their farms in peace and raise their children without the constant threat of terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals.”
He maintained that the true measure of any administration is its ability to safeguard lives and property.
“Governance is not a public relations exercise. It is measured by the safety of the people and by a government’s ability to protect its citizens from harm. Until that constitutional obligation is fulfilled, every celebration of external praise rings hollow.”
Atiku urged the Federal Government to overhaul the nation’s security architecture, insisting that routine condemnations after attacks were no longer enough. He called for intelligence-driven operations, the swift arrest and prosecution of perpetrators, and proactive measures to prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.
While condoling with the families of those killed, he also urged security agencies to remain alert as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
“It is my sincere hope that this horrific massacre was not politically motivated. However, as the nation gradually approaches another political season, the security agencies must not only identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for this heinous crime, but must also take anticipatory and pre-emptive measures to strengthen security around vulnerable communities that could become targets of similar attacks,” he added.
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