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, saying the incidents reflect a collapse of leadership and worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the killing of one of the abducted teachers in the Ogbomoso incident as heartbreaking and accused the Federal Government of responding to insecurity with “recycled outrage” and routine statements.
“At a time when armed criminals are abducting schoolchildren, slaughtering innocent citizens, and turning communities into graveyards, President Tinubu’s response remains the same tired ritual,” Atiku said.
He argued that repeated attacks on schools and communities showed that criminal groups no longer feared the Nigerian state, adding that the government had failed to provide adequate protection for citizens.
The former vice president also criticised alleged attempts to suppress images and reports of violent attacks, insisting that a government should focus on preventing killings rather than controlling public perception.
Related Posts:
Atiku called for the immediate rescue of abducted victims in Oyo State and urged the Federal Government to overhaul the country’s security architecture to address growing insecurity nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced fresh gains in joint counterterrorism operations involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States Africa Command against ISIS and ISWAP terrorists in the North-East.
According to the DHQ, at least 175 terrorists have been killed in recent coordinated airstrikes targeting multiple terrorist enclaves. The operations also reportedly destroyed weapons caches, logistics hubs, checkpoints, and financial networks linked to the groups.
The military further disclosed that senior ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and several other key terrorist figures were among those eliminated during the strikes.
In a separate statement, the military dismissed claims that terrorists had established permanent operational bases in the South-West, following recent attacks and abductions in Oyo State.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said troops were actively conducting operations in affected forest corridors and working with local vigilantes and communities to rescue abducted victims and dismantle criminal networks.
