Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over the recent surge in violent attacks in Plateau State, particularly pointing to the massacre of at least 47 people in the Zike community of Bassa Local Government Area. Expressing deep sorrow and frustration in a statement shared on his Facebook page, Atiku accused the government of gross negligence and incompetence, stating that it has failed in its core responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.
The recent incident in Zike, which followed a similarly deadly attack in Bokkos Local Government Area, was highlighted by Atiku as part of a broader deterioration of national security. He emphasized that these tragedies reflect a larger pattern of failure in Nigeria’s security system under Tinubu’s leadership. Atiku lamented the frequency of these attacks and called the current state of insecurity “regrettable and entirely unacceptable.”
Beyond Plateau State, Atiku also expressed alarm at the worsening security situation in Borno State, citing comments from Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno about increasing casualties and territorial losses to terrorist groups. He attributed this decline to a “complete breakdown” in the federal government’s security strategy and called out the administration for its inability to bring terrorists to justice. He noted that some terror suspects arrested years ago, as far back as 2016, have yet to face prosecution.
Atiku criticized the disparity between the government’s urgency in prosecuting political opponents and its laxity in dealing with terrorists. He urged the Attorney General to prioritize terrorism-related trials and proposed the establishment of special courts to fast-track these cases. Additionally, he condemned the government’s failure to prevent armed cross-border invasions, describing it as a national embarrassment.
He further called on the National Assembly to enact laws that would allow state governments to adequately arm and equip local security forces, stressing the need to strengthen Nigeria’s overstretched security apparatus. While urging communities not to collaborate with insurgents and to share intelligence with authorities, Atiku also praised the courage of Nigerian security personnel but insisted they deserve a government that supports them with real action, not just words.
Concluding his statement, Atiku expressed condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirmed the urgent need for justice and reform. “We owe the dead justice and the living a safer Nigeria,” he said.