Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vehemently condemned the recent abduction of family members belonging to Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the immediate past Minister of Power. Describing the incident as a grim testament to Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, Atiku called for immediate and robust measures to tackle the nation’s worsening security landscape.
A Bold Act of Kidnapping
Reports confirmed the terrifying abduction of Chief Adelabu’s sister and her twin nephews in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a statement released on Wednesday, June 3, via his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku highlighted the alarming brazenness of the attack. The incident occurred in broad daylight at Challenge Bus Stop, a notoriously bustling area in Ibadan, underscoring the kidnappers’ audacious disregard for public safety and the apparent collapse of security infrastructure. Atiku stated that the ability of criminals to operate with such impunity in a prominent public space without challenge reflects a profound deterioration of law and order nationwide.
Atiku’s Stinging Critique of Government
The former Vice President framed the abduction as a critical ‘wake-up call’ for government officials, pointing out that the tentacles of insecurity now reach beyond ordinary citizens to touch the political elite. He questioned the government’s perceived detachment, asking, “If government officials have become desensitized to the suffering of ordinary citizens, should they not at least be alarmed when insecurity reaches the doorstep of one of their own?” Atiku lamented the pervasive trauma inflicted upon Nigerian families by a relentless wave of kidnappings and violent crimes, noting that criminal elements now operate with increasing boldness across the country.
“From schoolchildren snatched from their classrooms and farmers driven from their lands, to travelers ambushed on highways and entire communities held hostage by fear, the grim reality is undeniable,” Atiku asserted. He criticized the current administration’s response as being “too often characterized by excuses, propaganda, and palliatives rather than decisive action,” stressing that kidnappers make no distinction based on political affiliation or social standing. “The same insecurity that has turned the lives of ordinary Nigerians into a daily nightmare is now knocking on doors many in government may have assumed were beyond its reach,” he added.
Urgent Call for Decisive Action
Atiku emphasized the government’s fundamental responsibility to safeguard lives and property, advocating for a dramatically more effective security strategy. He expressed deep concern over the constant fear of abduction and ransom demands under which many Nigerians now live, declaring the situation unacceptable. He urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to implement a comprehensive, intelligence-driven approach designed to dismantle kidnapping networks, fortify vulnerable communities, and restore public trust in the nation’s security architecture.
Furthermore, Atiku demanded the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted victims, alongside the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the heinous act. He concluded by extending his heartfelt prayers and unwavering support to the Adelabu family and all other Nigerians suffering the harrowing impact of insecurity across the country.