Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election has decried the escalating activities of bandits in the country.
Expressing his concerns about the security situation on his X handle, Abubakar lamented that kidnappers have continued with their reign of terror unchecked.
Abubakar condemned the spates of kidnappings, especially, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student and Nabeeha
were abducted and later killed by the criminals.
He said, the government has failed to fulfil its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens, there by making it is easy for kidnappers and other criminal elements to have a free rein visiting houses and hotels in and around the capital city, kidnapping citizens without resistance.
“The escalating violence and lawlessness in our nation deeply distresses me as bandits and kidnappers continue their reign of terror unchecked”, Abubakar said on his X handle.
“Our youths and innocent citizens are being murdered daily.
Just last Saturday, we lost Nabeeha to her captors.
“Yesterday, the tragedy deepened with the murder of more victims, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student. Folorunsho was one of ten people kidnapped from Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on January 7th, 2024.
“It is obvious that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the federal capital.
“When the government fails to fulfil its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens, it is an invitation to kidnappers and other criminal elements to have a free rein visiting houses and hotels in and around the capital city, kidnapping citizens without resistance.
“This is a sad development.
It is imperative that the authorities address this dire security situation urgently to regain the trust of the Nigerian people.
“While I mourn with the deceased families, I pray to the Almighty to comfort them, grant the dead eternal peace and protect our nation”, the former vice president said.
