Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has lampooned the procedures adopted in securing the release of the schoolgirls abducted from Kebbi State, saying it fell short of what Nigerians expected.
According to the former number two citizens, a situation whereby terrorists dictate the terms and conditions is a national tragedy which we Nigerians should condemn.
In a statement by his Media Office, Atiku stated: “The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga’s comments on Arise News TV yesterday on the freedom of the Kebbi school girls is to say the least a shameful attempt to whitewash a national tragedy and dress up government incompetence as heroism.
“Truth be told, the release of abducted Nigerians is not a trophy moment; it is a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face.
“If, as Onanuga claims, the DSS and the military could “track” the kidnappers in real time and “made contact” with them, then the question is simple: Why were these criminals not arrested, neutralised, or dismantled on the spot?
“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”?
Atiku insisted that, “this irresponsible and reckless narrative exposes the truth: Under Tinubu, terrorrists/bandits have become an alternative government — negotiating, collecting ransom, and walking away untouched — while the presidency celebrates their “compliance.”
“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.
“Onanuga and his ilk should stop insulting Nigerians with propaganda.
“If the security agencies truly had eyes on the kidnappers, then letting them escape is a national disgrace that smacks of complicity.
“And if they did not have such capacity, then Onanuga is simply manufacturing lies to cover up a monumental failure of leadership.
“Either way, the statement is an embarrassing admission that this administration has lost control of national security and is now trying to spin incompetence into achievement.
“Nigerians deserve protection, not fairy tales by moonlight!,” he stressed.
