By: Odeh Favour
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has decried the rising spate of insecurity across the country, following the abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, in Imo State, as well as school children in Borno State.
Taking to his X handle, Atiku described the developments as heartbreaking, urging both the Federal and Imo State governments alongside security agencies to act with speed to secure the freedom of those still in captivity.
“The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity. I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely,” Atiku stated.
Revisiting the security situation in the North-East, Atiku noted that over 70 pupils and students kidnapped from Mussa and Lassa in Borno State have remained in captivity months after their abduction.
He insisted that the missing children must not be forgotten, demanding transparency and accountability from the authorities on the situation.
“In Borno, more than 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa remain in captivity months later. These children must not be forgotten.
Their families deserve clear updates, and the public deserves answers,” he wrote.
Atiku went further to tackle President Bola Tinubu over his administration’s failure to translate savings from the petrol subsidy removal into adequate security for citizens, asserting that Nigerian youth are being failed at every turn.
“Tinubu promised that savings from subsidy removal would help fund security. Yet Nigerians remain exposed to kidnappers on our roads, in our communities and around our schools. Young people face danger in secondary school, struggle with unaffordable fees at university, and are now targets on their journeys to NYSC camps. This is a generation being failed at every stage,” he lamented.
The ADC candidate also criticized the allocation of lucrative security contracts, arguing that ordinary citizens have been left unprotected while resources are channeled to politically aligned entities.
“Meanwhile, huge pipeline security contracts go to politically connected companies, while ordinary Nigerians are left to face criminals. The first duty of government is to protect lives,” Atiku stated.
He concluded by reiterating his commitment to a safer and better nation for young Nigerians.
“While we pray for the immediate and safe rescue of every abducted young person and the return of all those still unaccounted for, my promise to build a safer and more affordable Nigeria, where young people can create, build and prosper, remains unshakable. -AA,” he added.
