Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised the federal government’s handling of the country’s deepening insecurity, describing recent bandit attacks as evidence of growing criminal audacity and urging that President Bola Tinubu’s administration be held accountable for its security commitments. The comments were issued on January 21, 2026, following renewed attacks in parts of Kaduna State.
Atiku highlighted that despite ongoing peace initiatives in several states, violent incidents including large-scale kidnappings continue unabated, signalling what he described as ineffective security strategies. He urged authorities not to defer responses until after such attacks occur, arguing that deterrence and proactive action are crucial to curbing the menace.
The former vice president also called for concrete results rather than public condemnations, asserting that Nigerians are disillusioned by repeated rhetoric without measurable improvements in safety. He argued that national leadership must demonstrate real progress against organised criminal networks rather than relying on peace agreements that he claims disproportionately benefit the perpetrators.
Atiku’s stance places renewed pressure on federal security policymakers as the government grapples with overlapping challenges of banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence across the northwest
