Atiku condemns federal government's handling of Kaduna violence

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, launched a scathing attack on the government of President Bola Tinubu on Monday, condemning the latest killings in Southern Kaduna as a damning verdict on the government's handling of insecurity.

n

The massacre of innocent residents in Kauru Local Government Area, he declared, is a painful reminder that the federal government has failed in its constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, with scores of people killed in fresh attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna.

n

Atiku asserted that no administration can claim progress while citizens are being slaughtered in their homes and communities by armed criminals operating without fear of consequences, emphasizing that 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.

n

The reported killing of scores of innocent Nigerians in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State is, according to Atiku, heartbreaking and unacceptable, with the government's inability to protect its citizens being a stark reminder of its failures.

n

Atiku accused the Tinubu-led government of prioritizing international recognition over confronting Nigeria's worsening security crisis, focusing on promoting an unverified claim of receiving a letter of commendation from the United States government rather than addressing the country's security issues.

n

He emphasized that the priority of any responsible government should be the protection of its citizens, rather than seeking international recognition while communities across the country remain under siege, with senior officials of the administration busy promoting an unverified claim of a letter of commendation from the United States Government.

n

Atiku argued that governments that truly value human life spare no effort in protecting their citizens, drawing a comparison with the United States, and emphasizing that the people of Southern Kaduna—and indeed all Nigerians—do not need letters of praise from foreign capitals, but rather security and protection.

n

He maintained that governance should be assessed by the safety of citizens rather than public relations campaigns or diplomatic endorsements, stating that governance is not a public relations exercise, but rather measured by the safety of the people and by a government's ability to protect its citizens from harm.

n

Atiku called for urgent reforms, urging the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's security architecture, as routine condemnations after every attack are no longer sufficient, and advocating for intelligence-driven security operations, swift prosecution of perpetrators, and proactive measures to prevent recurring attacks on vulnerable communities.

n

While expressing condolences to families of the victims and the people of Southern Kaduna, Atiku also urged security agencies to remain vigilant as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, hoping that the horrific massacre was not politically motivated.

n

He emphasized that the security agencies must not only identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for the heinous crime, but also take anticipatory and pre-emptive measures to strengthen security around vulnerable communities that could become targets of similar attacks, as the nation gradually approaches another political season.