Atiku: Nigerians are losing their lives due to Tinubu's ineptitude in Plateau

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has attributed the recent rise in deadly assaults in Plateau State to the incompetence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, claiming the government has failed to protect its citizens.

In a poignant statement shared on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Atiku expressed profound grief over the brutal killings of at least 47 individuals in the Zike community, located in the Kwali district of Bassa Local Government Area. This tragic event occurred just days after a similar incident in Bokkos LGA, emphasizing what Atiku described as "a deteriorating security situation in our nation."
"I am deeply saddened and alarmed by the resurgence of violence in Plateau State," Atiku stated. "It is both tragic and completely unacceptable that these Nigerians lost their lives due to the incompetence of the Tinubu administration. The safeguarding of lives and property is the fundamental duty of any government, and regrettably, President Tinubu has persistently failed in this responsibility." Beyond Plateau State, Atiku also highlighted the increasing threat of terrorism in Borno State, referencing statements from Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, which pointed to escalating losses of both lives and territory to insurgents. "These troubling developments reveal a total failure of the current administration's security policies and frameworks," Atiku remarked. He further criticized the federal government's inability to hold terrorists and bandits accountable, pointing out that some suspects arrested as far back as 2016 remain unprosecuted.

"If the same urgency and dedication were applied to prosecuting terrorists as has been shown in the trials of political opponents, we would have delivered a strong and clear message that criminal behavior carries consequences," he argued. Atiku urged the Attorney General of the Federation to prioritize the prosecution of terrorism-related cases and advocated for the establishment of special courts to accelerate these proceedings. He also condemned the government's failure to prevent armed groups from cross-border incursions, describing it as a "national disgrace.

" In his statement, the PDP leader called on the National Assembly to legislate measures enabling state governments to equip their security forces with modern weaponry, stressing the necessity to bolster the country's overwhelmed security framework. "The people should not have to bear the consequences of government shortcomings," Atiku asserted. "Merely condemning these acts after they occur is insufficient; what is required is proactive, preventive action." He appealed to local communities to refrain from partnering with armed groups and to cooperate with security agencies by providing intelligence, framing security as "a collective responsibility." While acknowledging the bravery of Nigeria's security forces, Atiku emphasized that they require a government that supports them not only in words but through concrete actions. "May the souls of the departed rest in peace," he concluded. "We are obligated to seek justice for them and to ensure a safer future for Nigeria."