Atiku attacks Tinubu over insecurity after ex-lawmaker dies in kidnappers’ custody

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the worsening security situation in the country following the death of former House of Representatives member, Abba Adamu, in kidnappers’ custody.

 

Adamu, who represented Guri, Kiri-Kasamma and Birniwa Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2011, was abducted on May 3 along the Kaduna-Abuja highway while travelling from Kano to Abuja for a political meeting.

 

Reports indicated that the former lawmaker died nine days later while in captivity despite efforts by his family to secure his release.

 

Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the incident as further evidence of Nigeria’s deteriorating security under the Tinubu administration.

 

“Adamu’s death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration,” Atiku said.

 

“Let us be brutally honest: Nigeria is under siege, and this administration appears either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in the face of this national emergency.”

 

The former vice president questioned how a former federal lawmaker could be kidnapped on a major highway and still die in captivity despite his status and connections.

 

“When a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection?” he asked.

 

Atiku said insecurity had become widespread across the country, with citizens increasingly unsafe on highways, in their communities and on farmlands.

 

“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is now a horrifying pattern,” he stated.

 

He also criticised the persistent insecurity along the Abuja-Kaduna highway despite repeated assurances from security agencies and significant government spending on security operations.

 

“A government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern. A government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership,” Atiku said.

 

The former vice president further questioned the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s security strategy and called for accountability from those in charge.

 

According to him, Nigerians are no longer interested in repeated condolence messages from political leaders but expect concrete action to tackle insecurity across the country.