Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the killing of 47 people in the Zike community of Plateau State is a direct result of the incompetence of Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He described the current security situation under this government as disastrous and unacceptable.
Atiku made this statement on Tuesday in response to Sunday’s attack in the Kimakpa area of Kwali District, Bassa Local Government Area, where many lives were lost. This incident came just days after another deadly attack in Bokkos Local Government Area.
“It is regrettable and entirely unacceptable that these Nigerians had to lose their lives as a result of the incompetence of the Tinubu-led administration. The protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government.
“Unfortunately, Tinubu has failed these citizens and continues to fail them.”
“I am deeply saddened and alarmed by the resurgence of violent attacks in Plateau State, particularly the recent killings in Zike community in the Kimakpa area of Kwali district, Bassa Local Government Area, where at least 47 innocent lives were lost on Sunday.
“This tragedy, coming just days after a similar attack in Bokkos LGA, is a grim reminder of the worsening state of security in our country.
“I also condemn the escalating wave of terrorist attacks in Borno State, which, according to Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, has resulted in the loss of lives and territory to insurgents.”
These disturbing developments underscore the total collapse of the current administration’s security policy and architecture.
“Every sincere Nigerian should be disturbed by how terrorists and bandits operate with impunity, especially in Northern Nigeria, which has become the epicentre of this violence.
“The continued delay in prosecuting terrorists and bandits, some of whom have been in custody since 2016, has only emboldened these mass murderers.
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“If the same level of urgency and energy were devoted to the prosecution of terrorists as we have seen applied to the trials of political critics, we would have sent a clear and forceful message that crime has consequences. Instead, justice is being delayed, and our security forces are being demoralised.
“The Attorney General of the Federation must prioritise the prosecution of these criminals, and special courts should be established to fast-track their trials. Our justice system must not give the impression that terrorism pays.
“I am also alarmed by reports of armed criminal groups crossing our borders to carry out attacks. This is a national disgrace and further proof of a failed security framework.
“Condemnation after the fact is not enough. What is needed are proactive, preventive actions. As long as these criminals face no real consequences, they will continue to return to inflict more pain on innocent people.
“I urge the National Assembly to urgently pass legislation that allows state governments to properly arm and equip their security outfits with modern weapons.
“This will strengthen our overall security architecture and help relieve the overstretched federal security agencies.”
Atiku, therefore, called on citizens to support security agencies with useful intelligence, warning that staying silent or indifferent would only give terrorists more confidence to carry out attacks.
Tinubu earlier expressed “deep sorrow” over the recent violence in Plateau State, where over 40 people lost their lives. He described the incident as both heartbreaking and preventable.
In a statement released on Monday evening, the president condemned the killings and urged Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take strong political steps to break the cycle of violence in the state.
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