Former vice president states terrorists operate freely and dictate terms
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a strong rebuke to the Federal Government, cautioning against celebrating the recent release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State as an achievement.
In a statement released through his Media Office on Wednesday, Atiku argued that the return of the girls should not be viewed as a “trophy moment,” but rather as compelling evidence of Nigeria’s rapidly worsening security environment.
Atiku described the incident as a “damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face.” This criticism is directed at the government’s perceived tendency to highlight the eventual release of victims while downplaying the initial failure to prevent the abductions and neutralize the perpetrators.
The statement by the former Vice President was a direct response to comments made by a Presidential Special Adviser, who had claimed during a television interview that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military played a crucial role in tracking the kidnappers in real-time, establishing contact, and securing the girls’ release without paying a ransom. The presidential aide argued that while security agencies possess the necessary intelligence, their operations are constrained by the risk of collateral damage to civilians held by the bandits.
Government narrative dismissed as ‘shameful whitewash’
Atiku completely dismissed the government’s narrative, labeling it a “shameful attempt to whitewash a national tragedy and dress up government incompetence as heroism.” He challenged the administration’s explanation, arguing that if the DSS and the military genuinely possessed the capacity to track the kidnappers in real-time and make direct contact with them, then the question remains simple: “Why were these criminals not arrested, neutralised, or dismantled on the spot?”
The former Vice President questioned the administration’s focus on negotiation rather than decisive military action, asking, “Why is the government boasting about talking to terrorists instead of eliminating them? Why is kidnapping now reduced to a routine phone call between criminals and state officials?” This line of questioning emphasizes his belief that the government is prioritizing political messaging over effective security operations designed to end the cycle of abductions.
Terrorists accused of running an ‘alternative government’
Atiku further alleged that the administration’s explanation inadvertently suggests that “terrorists and bandits have become an alternative government, negotiating, collecting ransom, and walking away untouched, while the presidency celebrates their compliance.” This accusation underscores the profound security implications of allowing non-state actors to repeatedly seize large groups of citizens and then engage in high-level negotiations with state security representatives.
He strongly condemned the practice of self-congratulation, stating unequivocally that “No serious nation applauds itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance. No responsible government congratulates itself for allowing abductors to walk back into the forests to kidnap again.” His remarks position the repeated cycle of abduction and release as a failure of governance and intelligence, not a security success story.
Context of the Kebbi schoolgirls abduction
The criticism comes following the abduction of 25 female students from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, which occurred on November 17. The attack resulted in the tragic killing of one staff member. One girl escaped shortly after the incident, leaving 24 students in captivity until their release on Tuesday.
This incident is part of a wave of mass abductions, which has led to widespread national concern and calls for a state of emergency on insecurity. The release of the girls was confirmed by the Kebbi State Governor, who also insisted that no ransom was paid, attributing the release to coordinated efforts by security personnel. However, Atiku’s statement highlights the deep political divide over the methodology used to secure the release and the government’s overall strategy for combating entrenched terrorist and bandit groups operating across the country.
