Atiku criticizes Tinubu's approach to security following the fatal outcome of a former legislator's kidnapping

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu's security strategy on Tuesday, following the death of former House of Representatives member Abba Adamu, who was killed by kidnappers.

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Adamu, a former representative of the Guri, Kiri-Kasamma, and Birniwa federal constituency from 2007 to 2011, was abducted on May 3 along the Kaduna–Abuja highway while traveling from Kano to Abuja for a political meeting, and died in captivity nine days later.

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Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the incident as a reflection of the country's worsening insecurity, stating that Adamu's death was a personal tragedy and a damning indictment of the government's failure to protect lives and property.

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Atiku said, "Adamu's death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration," and questioned the hope for ordinary Nigerians who lack visibility, influence, or protection.

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The former VP lamented that insecurity had become widespread, with citizens being kidnapped from highways, farms, communities, and homes, while government responses remained inadequate, and stated that Nigerians are being kidnapped from various locations while the government issues "sterile statements and recycled assurances" that bear no resemblance to reality.

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Atiku further alleged that insecurity under the current administration had evolved into a "cruel national routine," with many Nigerians traveling in fear and businesses and farming activities suffering disruptions.

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The former vice president criticized the continued attacks along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor despite repeated assurances by security agencies and huge budgetary allocations to the sector, stating that "a government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern."

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Atiku questioned the Federal Government's security strategy and demanded accountability, asking "what exactly is the security strategy of this administration" and "how many more deaths must be recorded before this government realises that press releases do not defeat bandits."

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He urged the Federal Government to treat the nation's worsening security crisis as an emergency, and extended condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Jigawa State, and other Nigerians affected by insecurity.

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National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Seriake Dickson, also mourned Adamu's death, describing it as "deeply shocking and saddening" and reflecting the "worsening wave of insecurity, kidnappings and killings" in the country.

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Dickson recalled Adamu's role in their shared political struggles during the late President Umar Yar’Adua succession crisis, and described him as a "friend and brother" who remained loyal even after leaving the National Assembly.

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The Forum of Nigeria Polytechnics Alumni Associations described Adamu's death as "heartbreaking news," stating that he was a "respected leader, mentor and unifying figure" who played a key role in the formation of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

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FONPAA noted that Adamu served as chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Damaturu between 2013 and 2015, and as Chairman of Guri Local Government Area and commissioner in Jigawa State, before representing his constituency in the House of Representatives.

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The group described Adamu as "humble, visionary and committed to service," and stated that his death was a major loss to his family, the polytechnic community, and the nation, while condemning rising insecurity in the country, especially kidnappings along highways.

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This incident adds to a series of high-profile killings linked to suspected kidnappers, including the death of Kaduna State House of Assembly member Rilwanu Gadagau in December 2021, who was killed by bandits along the Kaduna–Zaria highway.