Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday launched a scathing attack on the President Bola Tinubu administration over the latest massacre in Southern Kaduna, declaring that the government has failed in its primary constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
Reacting to the reported killing of scores of residents in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Atiku described the attack as heartbreaking and unacceptable, saying the continued bloodshed reflects the worsening security situation across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said every life lost was a painful indictment of an administration that promised improved security but has continued to witness deadly attacks on innocent citizens.
According to him, no nation can claim genuine progress when its people are being killed in their homes and communities by criminals operating with impunity.
Atiku criticised the Federal Government for allegedly focusing on publicising what he described as an unverified letter of commendation from the United States instead of addressing the country’s security crisis.
He contrasted the situation with reports that the United States committed about $750,000 to rescue a single American citizen stranded on a remote Pacific island after a possible exposure to hantavirus, saying the incident demonstrated how governments should value the lives of their citizens.
“The people of Southern Kaduna—and indeed all Nigerians—do not need letters of praise from foreign capitals. They need security. They need to sleep without fear, travel without anxiety, cultivate their farms in peace and raise their children without the constant threat of terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals,” he said.
The former Vice President maintained that governance should not be measured by diplomatic commendations or public relations campaigns but by a government’s ability to guarantee the safety of its citizens.
He called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, stressing the need for intelligence-driven operations, swift prosecution of perpetrators and proactive measures to prevent recurring attacks.
Atiku also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Southern Kaduna, praying for the repose of those killed and the speedy recovery of the injured.
He further urged security agencies to strengthen protection around vulnerable communities, particularly as the country heads towards another political season, warning that innocent lives must never become casualties of political interests.
“The protection of innocent lives must never be sacrificed on the altar of politics,” he said.
Atiku added that history would judge any administration not by the number of international commendations it receives but by its ability to protect Nigerians when they need it most.
